Travelogue of a biophysical chemist in the path to understand the process of recognition between biological molecules

Specific recognition among different molecules is crucial for the diverse biological processes occurring inside the cell, the unit of life. The central dogma of molecular biology (transfer of genetic information from DNA to protein via messenger RNA) is a manifestation of this recognition process. The formation of different cellular organelles is also an offspring of the dynamic recognition signals. The molecular basis of recognition has always intrigued the biologists, particularly those working in the diverse areas of physical and chemical biology, because in addition to understand cellular metabolism, its knowledge provides an important clue to drug discovery. Ever since I joined Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics my research has focussed upon different facets of biomolecular recognition. An important outcome of the research I conducted has been the elucidation of the mode of action of a few small molecules via association with intracellular targets. Some of them serve as drugs to cure diseases. In this talk I intend to share my research explorations on this subject.