Sunit K Singh serves as an Associate Professor (Molecular Immunology) and Head of the Molecular Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. Prof Singh completed his PhD from the University of Wuerzburg, Germany, and postdoctoral training from School of Medicine, Yale University , US and University of California Davis, US.
Professor Singh has also served as a visiting scientist at Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, US; Department of Arbovirology, Institute of Parasitology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Chonbuk National University, South Korea; and Department of Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. He led a research group in the area of neurovirology and inflammation biology as a scientist at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. Prof Singh has published many books to his credit, including Neuroviral Infections, Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, Human Respiratory Viral Infections and Viral Infections and Global Change. Excerpts from a telephonic interview.
Not just in India, but globally we seem to be grappling with diseases and outbreaks like Ebola, MERS and Swine Flu. Why is this happening and what do we need to do to ensure that the future is not bleak?
The past five years have seen the emergence and re-emergence of viruses and infections. The cause of these outbreaks are man-made. When you erode the environment of forests and its inhabitants, ie, the animals, naturally the space between animals and man becomes narrow and infections from the species get passed on to us. This overlap between the territories of man and animals needs to be sorted out.
What is your view on not being able to find a concrete cure for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?
There have been various clinical trials going on around the world, but yes, we are nowhere close to finding a cure. Vaccines for HIV are designed based on T-Cell and B-Cell components of the virus. Antigens (foreign bodies) released by the virus somehow neutralise the effects of so-called lifesaving drugs, thereby resulting in not much improvement in tackling the virus. The best that can be done is to increase the life span of the individual by giving anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. The government of India has set up many centres in the country for the free disposal of these ARV drugs. ARV drugs have proved to be effective in extending the life span of the affected individual to a remarkable extent, say even two decades.
What are your views as a virologist on biosafety?
When pathogens are released, there is also a spillover of ‘aerosolic’ organisms into the environment. Aerosolic organisms are similar to viruses that get released when say someone sneezes in a crowded room and passes the infection along. These pathogens are transmitted into the environment based on their mode of transmission and other parameters. It is important to devise a precautionary system to ensure that pathogens don’t get into the community or are contained to a large extent. This is what biosafety is about.
We hear that you spearhead an international community group called International Virology Forum? How does it work?
We are a group of virologists who come together on social networks to discuss about viruses, the latest about them, share information on research, initiate ideas and such. There are about 90 members from around the world now. While most of the discussions are quite theoretical, some practical benefits have been derived too, say when a researcher in Massachusetts Institute of Health incorporates one of the ideas put together by the group in his research. The group mostly helps us to stay in touch with the virologist community and to nurture our intellect.
What do you think of the current generation of students in general and the state of affairs of education in the country?
I do a little bit of teaching, mostly at the doctoral level and needless to say, these students are a motivated lot. What is of concern is the lack of mentors and resources that students need. If we can work on these fronts, we can create smarter and more resourceful human capital.
How do you spend your free time?
I am a sucker for television (news channels) and movies.
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