Director
Dr. Sudhir Chandna, Scientist ‘G’, has taken over the charge of Director, INMAS, DRDO, Delhi w.e.f. 1st Oct 2023. He joined DRDO in Dec 1990, and worked in DRDE Gwalior until Aug 1993, following which he shifted to INMAS Delhi.
Dr Chandna did his Masters in Genetics (HAU, Hisar, India) and Ph.D. in Biomedicine Research (University of Delhi, India).
The primary area of interest of Dr Chandna has been CBRNe Research, especially the development of Radiation Countermeasures. He has worked extensively for the discovery of novel drug targets for radioprotection, molecular biomarkers for radiation exposure/dose assessment, and radiation health risk assessment.
Dr Chandna has led many S&T as well as TD projects in Biological Radioprotection Research. His pathbreaking research on the signaling mechanisms of ‘hyper-radioresistance’ existing naturally in Insect system has earned global recognition. His laboratory has also contributed significantly in understanding the ‘radiation-induced carcinogenesis’, with significant implication for preventing long-term health hazards in radiation-exposed subjects. Recently, his team has been successful in developing new high throughput assays and molecular biomarkers for detecting radiation exposure. These various R&D contributions have led to new drug trials and development of rapid ‘field-use’ assays, collectively aimed at protecting forces and civilians during radiation scenarios, and enhancing country’s preparedness for large-scale radiation emergencies.
Publications (>70) encompass many renowned international journals such as Radiation Research (RRS-USA), Int J Radiation Biology, Int J Radiation Oncol Biol Phys, Int J Biochem Cell Biol, Scientific Reports (Nature Pub Group), Cancer & Metastasis Rev, Biochim et Biophys Acta (BBA-GEN), Nucleic Acids Res, DNA Repair, Cancer Letters, Carcinogenesis, Cell Cycle, Mitochondrion, ACS-Omega, Health Physics, Biomacromolecules, besides others.
Over 15 research scholars have completed PhD under his guidance in the area of Radiation Biosciences, and his laboratory alumni are placed in leading Scientific positions in various countries.
Dr Chandna has also worked as Guest Scientist in the Institute of Medical Radiation Biology (Essen, Germany, Sept 1994 - Feb 1995) and Centre for Radiation Protection Research (Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Sept-Dec 2008), as part of international collaborative research. He has also been primary collaborator in the international MoU of INMAS with the Centre for Radiation Protection Research (CRPR), Stockholm University (Sweden), for research in Low-Dose Radiation Effects (2012-15).
In 2009, Dr Chandna was invited to collaborate with the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Prof Andrew Schally, USA and the joint study is published in Cell Cycle. He has been Member in the Expert Panel for European Commission’s “Radioprotection Research Programme” for 2016-2021. He has also been invited by leading international scientific forums such as International Congress of Radiation Research (ICRR-2011: Warsaw, Poland; ICRR-2023, Montreal, Canada); European Radiation Research Society (ERRS- 2014, Rhodes Island, Greece); Centre for Radiation Protection Research (CRPR), Stockholm University (Sweden) 2016; European Commission’s Workshop on Individual Radiosensitivity (2018; Malta, Europe); International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA-2020-21).
Contributing to Higher Education in CBRN Research, he has been the convener of a full-semester course exclusively conducted by INMAS faculty on ‘Radiation Biology & Oncology’ for MSc Biomedical Sciences in ACBR, University of Delhi.
Dr Chandna led the Covid Emergency Services by INMAS during the Covid-19 pandemic 2020-2021, handling responsibilities such as building a state-of-art BSL3 facility, providing effective Covid diagnosis services, as well as the Covid-19 therapeutic drug development activity.