Leading scientist Obaid Siddiqui dead

"He breathed his last in a city hospital," National Centre for Biological Sciences-TIFR official Avinash Chinchure told PTI.

Siddiqi is survived by his wife Asiya, sons Imran and Kaleem, and daughters Yumna and Diba, National Centre for Biological Sciences-TIFR, said in a statement.

Siddiqi, born in 1932 in Uttar Pradesh, received his early education at Aligarh Muslim University. He obtained his Phd from the University of Glasgow, working on microbial genetics with Guido Pontecorvo.

He carried out post-doctoral research with Alan Garen at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and University of Pennsylvania.

"This work led to the discovery of stop codons in the genetic code and the mechanism of chain termination during protein synthesis," the statement said.

In 1962, at the invitation of Homi Bhabha, he set up the Molecular Biology Unit at TIFR in Mumbai. The formation of this unit is widely regarded as a transformational event in the landscape of modern biology research in India.

Thirty years later, he became the founding director of the TIFR National Center for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, the statement said.

In 1980s, Siddiqi and his students at TIFR, Mumbai, carried out pioneering work on the genetic basis of taste and smell in Drosophila. "These discoveries paved the way for the modern understanding of how senses such as taste and smell are detected and encoded in the brain," it added.

Siddiqi was an elected member of the Royal Society, London (FRS), US National Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, Trieste, the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (President 1986-89), National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad, and Maharashtra Academy of Sciences.

He has been honoured with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Bhatnagar Prize, INSA Golden Jubilee Medal, Birla Samarak Kosh National Award, Goyal Foundation Prize, Aryabhatta Medal by INSA, Bhasin Foundation Prize, Science Congress Plaque of Honours, BC Roy Award for Biomedical Research and Firodia Award for Basic Sciences.

Vice President M Hamid Ansari condoled the demise of eminent biologist.

"I am deeply saddened at the untimely and tragic demise of Professor Obaid Siddiqi, National Research Professor at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, one of the most eminent scientists of our country and an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University," Ansari said in his message.

Ansari said in Siddiqui's departure, the country had lost a pioneer of scientific research and an institution builder.

"I convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family. I pray to the Almighty to give them strength and fortitude to withstand this loss," he said.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh also condoled his death. "I am deeply grieved to learn of the passing away of Dr Obaid Siddiqi, one of India's most eminent molecular biologists, who will long be remembered for his pioneering research in this field," Singh said in his message.

The Prime Minister said Siddiqi was among that crop of scientists who helped lay the foundation of our country's scientific research effort.

"He will be missed deeply by his friends and colleagues as a great researcher, educationist and a very warm human being. I offer my heartfelt condolences and pray for peace of the departed soul," Singh said.