OS
Molecular Biologist

Obaid Siddiqi

Born 7 January 1932 · Delhi — Died 26 July 2013

Founded the TIFR National Center for Biological Sciences advancing neurogenetics research in India.

Obaid Siddiqi FRS was an Indian National Research Professor and the Founder-Director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) National Center for Biological Sciences. He made seminal contributions to the field of behavioural neurogenetics using the genetics and neurobiology of Drosophila.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Obaid Siddiqi’s work with fruit flies in the 1970s helped reveal how temperature-sensitive mutations can cause paralysis, a concept now central to neurogenetics.

The Story

1
In 1962, Obaid Siddiqi was personally invited by Homi Bhabha to establish the molecular biology unit at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Bombay, marking a decisive shift in Indian biological research.
2
🌟 During the 1970s, Siddiqi collaborated with Seymour Benzer at Caltech to discover temperature-sensitive paralytic mutants in Drosophila, a breakthrough that laid the foundation for the field of neurogenetics.
3In the late 1980s, Siddiqi and his student Veronica Rodrigues isolated the first collection of Drosophila mutants defective in smell and taste, pioneering insights into sensory processing in the brain.
4🚀 By 1992, Siddiqi had founded the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) under TIFR in Bangalore, shaping it into a premier institution for molecular biology and neuroscience research.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1962, Homi Bhabha personally invited Siddiqi to set up molecular biology research at TIFR, a rare direct call from a top physics luminary to a biologist in India.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Basti district, Uttar Pradesh
Obaid Siddiqi was born, later becoming a renowned molecular biologist and institution builder in India.
1932
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Career
Joined TIFR Bombay molecular biology unit
Invited by Homi Bhabha, Siddiqi established molecular biology research at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bombay.
1962
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Career
Neurogenetics breakthrough at Caltech
Collaborated with Seymour Benzer to discover temperature-sensitive paralytic mutants in Drosophila.
c.1970
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Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received one of India’s highest civilian awards for contributions to science.
1984
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Career
Founded NCBS Bangalore
Created the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research National Centre for Biological Sciences to advance molecular biology research.
1992
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Award
Received Padma Vibhushan
Honored with India's second highest civilian award recognizing his lifetime scientific work.
2006
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Death
Passed away in Bangalore
Died from injuries sustained in a road accident, ending a prolific scientific career.
2013
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Siddiqi’s 1970s collaboration with Seymour Benzer at Caltech produced the first temperature-sensitive paralytic mutants of Drosophila, critical in defining neurogenetics.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

At TIFR, Siddiqi and Veronica Rodrigues identified the initial mutants affecting smell and taste in fruit flies, a foundational step in understanding sensory neurobiology.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Despite his stature, Siddiqi maintained the curiosity of a ten-year-old and the humility of a graduate student, often giving away his personal books to students without expecting returns.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Obaid Siddiqi | Sharmistha Majumdar
·YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Obaid Siddiqi’s establishment of major research units at TIFR, including the NCBS in Bangalore, created lasting platforms for cutting-edge biological research in India. His pioneering studies on Drosophila mutants transformed the understanding of how genes influence neural circuits and behavior, influencing both Indian and international neuroscience. By mentoring future scientists and fostering institutional growth, he helped embed neurogenetics as a vital discipline within Indian science.

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