Dr Dibyendu Das IISER Kolkata Wins Bhatnagar Award 2025 for Systems Chemistry Innovation

Dr Dibyendu Das, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, has been honoured with the Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award 2025 for his pioneering contributions to systems chemistry.

The award recognises his groundbreaking research into life-like chemical systems — synthetic materials capable of mimicking biological behaviour such as growth, division, and death. His innovative work offers transformative possibilities for healthcare, drug delivery, and the understanding of life’s origins.

Building Life from Chemicals: The ‘Life 2.0’ Vision

Dr Das and his research team aim to recreate primitive forms of life from basic chemical components, shedding light on how life may have originated nearly four billion years ago.

“We are trying to create a simple form of life from simple chemicals and understand how life on Earth was created,” he explained.

His experiments have produced synthetic life-like materials that display cell-like properties — they can grow, divide, and even “die” when deprived of nourishment. These systems, responsive to energy inputs, are helping scientists decode the early evolution of living cells.

Revolutionary Implications for Future Medicine

According to Dr Das, the ability to design and control living-matter-like systems could transform medical treatments and drug delivery mechanisms.

He envisions a future where responsive biomaterials release medicines only when needed, ensuring precision and safety in healthcare.

“Imagine a gel-like capsule that breathes and releases medicine only when required,” he said, describing how these intelligent systems could improve targeted therapies.

His team’s experiments also demonstrated chemoattractant-driven movement, meaning these systems can detect and move toward certain chemicals — similar to how living organisms respond to stimuli. This property could revolutionise smart drug delivery technologies.

IISER Kolkata’s Growing Legacy of Scientific Excellence

Dr Das’s recognition further strengthens IISER Kolkata’s reputation as a hub of scientific innovation.

The institute has produced several past Bhatnagar Award winners, including Soumitro Banerjee, Biswarup Mukhopadhyay, Swadhin Kumar Mandal, and Rahul Banerjee.

This year, both Mandal and Banerjee also received the JC Bose Grant, marking another milestone for the institution.

Reacting to the honour, Dr Das said the award serves as an inspiration to continue exploring the mystery of life’s origin and advancing the frontiers of chemistry and biology.

Conclusion

Dr Dibyendu Das’s achievement underscores India’s growing leadership in scientific research and innovation. His work at IISER Kolkata bridges the gap between chemistry and biology, offering a glimpse into how life might have begun — and how future healthcare solutions could be designed with life-like intelligence.