Draft:Mallayan Palaniandavar



Professor Dr. Mallayan Palaniandavar, (born 5 June 1951), is a bio-inorganic chemist known for his pioneering work and contributions to the field of chemistry. He is considered one of the prominent figures in bio-inorganic chemistry in India and has made groundbreaking discoveries in the study of interaction of copper and iron with DNA. Modelling the active sites of dioxygen activation enzyme. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, and a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Sciences, India.

Early life and education
Mallayan Palaniandavar completed his early education in Nadar Saraswathi Higher Secondary School, Theni, Tamilnadu, India. He earned his bachelor and master degree in Chemistry from Madurai Kamaraj University in 1971 and 1973. And he obtained his PhD in Coordination Chemistry from Madurai Kamaraj University in 1981. Simultaneously, he pursued his doctoral studies, supervised by C. Natarajan, to his PhD. His Thesis is titled "Synthesis and Study of Coordination Compounds: Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), and Copper(II) Complexes of α,β-Unsaturated o-Hydroxyarylcarbonyl Compounds and Their Oximes and Schiff Base Derivatives."

Dedication
In recognition of his work in the field of inorganic compounds of biological interest, a special issue of the *Inorganica Chimica Acta* journal (Elsevier) was dedicated to him. This special issue focused on inorganic compounds of biological interest and was released on the occasion of his 70th Birth Anniversary, highlighting his profound impact on this scientific domain.

Notable Achievements
Palaniandavar established the fields of bioinorganic chemistry related to copper, iron, and DNA for the first time in India. His groundbreaking work motivated numerous individuals to pursue research in these areas. He has successfully guided 28 research scholars in achieving their PhD degrees, and he currently supervises one ongoing research scholar. M. Palaniandavar initiated research on the interaction of metal complexes with DNA and modeled dioxygen-activating copper and iron enzymes, making significant contributions to the understanding of these processes. He is an elected Fellow of prestigious organizations, including the Indian National Science Academy (FNA), the Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc), and the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). He is a recipient of the Silver Medal from the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) for his extensive and outstanding contributions to research. He has received the University Grants Commission (UGC) Research Award and the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award. His research on the interaction of copper(II) with DNA led to the fundamental discovery that four cytosine molecules can simultaneously bind to Cu(II), shedding light on the intricate nature of these interactions. His original studies on the interaction of mixed ligand Cu(II) and Ru(II) complexes with DNA and polynucleotides have provided insights into the structural and conformational changes in DNA. M. Palaniandavar's work on Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potential has explained the nuclease activity of copper(II) complexes. He discovered the left-handed Z-conformation in DNA upon binding to specific metal complexes, such as tris(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)Cu(II) and -Ru(II) complexes. His research introduced the concept of 'exciton coupling,' leading to the spontaneous helical aggregation of racemic Ru(II) complexes on DNA and proposing a Ru(II)-based molecular light switch as a DNA probe. He has designed numerous Cu(II) and Ru(II)-arene complexes for cytotoxicity studies, particularly as metal-based anticancer drugs. His studies on the bioinorganic chemistry of dioxygen-activating enzymes and electron-transfer blue copper proteins have led to significant advancements in structural inorganic chemistr y. M. Palaniandavar has successfully duplicated the axial Cu(II)-phenolate bond found in dioxygen-activating enzymes using specific Cu(II) complexes. His work on iron(III) mono- and bis-phenolate complexes has provided valuable structural and functional models for catechol dioxygenase enzymes. He has studied iron(III) complexes in micellar media to mimic extradiol cleavage, a major natural pathway involved in catechol degradation. His research includes the isolation of diiron(III) complexes as functional models for methane monooxygenase enzymes and the characterization of high-valent FeIV=O intermediate species. Palaniandavar's work extends to Ru(III) and Ni(II) complexes as catalysts for hydroxylation of alkanes. He has played a crucial role in establishing the Department of Chemistry at Bharathidasan University and has been instrumental in generating support for advanced instrumentation facilities and founding a Centre for Bio-inorganic Chemistry. His contributions have earned numerous international, national, and state awards and recognitions, including FNA, FASc, FRSC, JSPS Fellowship, IFCPAR project, and more. He has been actively involved in organizing academic events, such as Winter Schools, Refresher Courses, and Academy Lecture Workshops, to benefit postgraduate students, scholars, and young faculty members in the field of chemistry.

Career
Palaniandavar's career has included a wide range of academic and research positions, both in India and internationally. He has held positions at institutions including: Visiting Professor at IISER, Berhampur, Odisha (India). Professor of Eminence at Tezpur University, Assam (India). SERB Fellow (Project PI) at Bharathidasan University (India). INSA Senior Scientist at Bharathidasan University (India). Distinguished Visiting Professor at IIT Bombay (India). Professor (Visiting) at Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur (India). DST Ramanna National Fellow at Bharathidasan University (India). Professor and Coordinator at Bharathidasan University (India). Dean of Sciences at Bharathidasan University (India). Professor and Head at Bharathidasan University (India). Visiting Professor at Chuo University, Tokyo (Japan). Visiting Scientist at Drexel University, Philadelphia (USA). Visiting Fellow for a NATO project at the University of Leiden (The Netherlands). Instructor Post-Doctoral Fellow at Drexel University (USA). Reader in Inorganic Chemistry at Madurai Kamaraj University (India). Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at Madurai Kamaraj University (India).

He has also held various positions as a Visiting Scientist and Visiting Professor at institutions in countries such as the USA, Japan, and Germany.

Awards and honours
Throughout his career, Palaniandavar has received a number of awards and honours in recognition of his contributions to research and academia. Some of his notable awards and honors include:

1. FNA, Fellow of Indian National Science Academy, 2014

Member, Sectional Committee on Chemistry, INSA, 2014–17

2. Silver Medal CRSI, conferred by Chemical Research Society of India, 2013

Recognized for extensive and outstanding contribution to research

3. Ramanna Fellowship, Awarded by Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, 2007-2010 and 2010-2013.

4. FRSC, Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, 2009

5. FASc, Fellow of Academy of Sciences, 2004, Member, Sectional Committee on Chemistry, IASc

6. Bronze Medal CRSI, conferred by Chemical Research Society of India, 1999,

Recognized for significant contribution to research

7. UGC Research Award, 1999-2002

8. Tamil Nadu Scientist Award, 1997-1998

9. Prof. Sanke Gowda Research Award, University of Mysore, 1995

10. Inorganica Chimica Acta journal (Elsevier) Special Issue

A special issue dedicated to Mallayan Palaniandavar on the occasion of his 70th Birth Anniversary, focused on

Inorganic Compounds of Biological Interest.

11. Best Paper Awards, Awarded to M. Palaniandavar and his PhD students, including recognition at the Fourth National

Convention of Electrochemists and other notable awards such as CRSI 2013.

Professional Memberships

M. Palaniandavar is a member of several renowned professional organizations, including: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc), Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India (FNA).

Books
1. Ruthenium Complexes of Thioether Ligands, M. Palaniandavar and M. Murali, VDM Verlag, 2010. ISBN 978-3-639-23888-4.

2. Copper and Iron Complexes in Organized Assemblies, M. Palaniandavar, and N. Anitha, VDM Verlag 2010. ISBN 978-3-639-26702-0.

3. Book Chapter: Novel Coordination Complexes of a Few Essential Trace Metals: Cytotoxic Properties and Lead Identification for Drug Development for Cancer, A. Riyasdeen, R. Loganathan, M. Palaniandavar, M. A. Akbarsha, P.R. Sudhakaran (ed.), Perspectives in Cancer Prevention: Translational Cancer Research, Springer India 2014. ISBN 978-81-322- 1532-5, 2013.

Articles

 * 1) T. Ajaykamal, Martin Kockerling and M. Palaniandavar, Copper(II)-Flavonolate Complexes of 2N Ligands as Functional Models for Quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase Enzymes: The Role of Axially Coordinated Water and Ligand Substitution on Dioxygenase Activity, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2023, 556, 121673.
 * 2) T. Ajaykamal and M. Palaniandavar, Mononuclear Nickel(II)-Flavonolate Complexes of Tetradentate Tripodal 4N Ligands as Structural and Functional Models for Quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase: Primary Ligands Tune the π-Back Bonding of Nickel(II) and Synergistic σ-Bonding of Flavonolate, RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 24674.
 * 3) R. Kartikeyan, M. Dhanashree, T. Ajaykamal, R. Loganathan, M. Velusamy, M. Palaniandavar, V. Rajendiran, Heteroleptic Copper(II) Complexes Containing Pyridine-2-aldehyde-4(N)-phenylthiosemicarbazone and Diimine Co-ligands Show Nanomolar Cytotoxicity, Dalton Trans., 2023, 52, 9148.
 * 4) T. Ajaykamal, Mitu Sharma, N. S. Islam and M. Palaniandavar, Rapid Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Fixation by Nickel(II) Complexes: Meridionally Coordinated Diazepane-based 3N Ligands Facilitate Fixation, Dalton Transactions (RSC), 2021, 50, 8045.
 * 5) M. Balamurugan, E. Suresh and M. Palaniandavar, μ-Oxo-Bridged Diiron(III) Complexes of Tripodal 4N ligands as Catalysts for Alkane Hydroxylation Reaction Using m-CPBA as Oxidant: Alkane Hydroxylation vs Self Hydroxylation, RSC Advances, 2021, 11, 21514.
 * 6) V. S. Periasamy, A. Riyasdeen, V. Rajendiran, M. Palaniandavar, H. Krishnamurthy, A. A. Alshatwi, M. A. Akbarsha,  Induction of Redox-Mediated Cell Death in ER-Positive and ER-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by a Copper(II)-Phenolate Complex: An In Vitro and In Silico Study, Molecules, 2020, 25 (19), 4504.
 * 7) T. S. Sheena, R. Dhivya, V. Raju, K. Jeganathan, M. Palaniandavar, G. Mathan, M. A. Akbarsha, Folate-engineered mesoporous silica-encapsulated copper (II) complex [Cu(L)(dppz)]+: An active targeting cell-specific platform for breast cancer therapy, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2020, 510, 119783.
 * 8) M. Sankaralingam, M. Balamurugan, and M. Palaniandavar, Alkane and alkene oxidation reactions catalyzed by nickel(II) complexes: Effect of ligand factors, Coord. Chem. Reviews, 2020, 403, 213085.
 * 9) M. Sharma, M. G. Pandian, A. Sanjeev, A. Tamilarasan, M. Velusamy, V. S. K. Mattaparthi, N. S. Islam and M. Palaniandavar, Bis- and Mixed-Ligand Copper(II) Complexes of Nalidixic Acid the Antibacterial Drug: Mode of Nalidate Coordination Determines DNA ,Binding and Cleavage and Cytotoxicity, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2020, 504, 119450.
 * 10) W. P. Sohtun, T. Khamrang, A. Kannan, D. Saravanan, M. Velusamy, M. Palaniandavar, Iron(III) bis-complexes of S-methyldithiocarbazates: Synthesis, structure and spectroscopic properties and their cytotoxicity, Appl. Org. Met. Chem., 202, 34 (5), e5593.
 * 11) M. Sharma, M. G. Pandian, M. Majumder, T. Ajaykamal, M. Sharma, R. Mukhopadhyay, N. S. Islam and Mallayan Palaniandavar, Octahedral Copper(II)-diimine Complexes of Triethylenetetramine: Effect of Stereochemical Fluxionality and Ligand Hydrophobicity on CuII/CuI Redox, DNA Binding Affinity, Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis-inducing Ability, Dalton Trans, 2020, 49, 8282-8297.