Why This Indian Scientist Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry | Venki Ramakrishnan

What inspired Venki Ramakrishnan to transition from physics to molecular biology? How has Venki Ramakrishnan's groundbreaking research on ribosomes impacted the study? How does he envision the future of molecular biology?

Venkatraman "Venki" Ramakrishnan is a leading molecular biologist whose groundbreaking work on ribosome structure has significantly advanced our understanding of protein synthesis. His discoveries earned him the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, making him one of the few Indians to receive this honour. Beyond his research, Venki has received numerous awards and held prestigious positions in the scientific community.

Tune in for an insightful in-depth conversation by one of the most influential minds in molecular biology!

Chapters -
00:00:00 - 00:01:10 Episode introduction
00:01:10 - 00:10:08 How did certain academic decisions influence Venki’s career?
00:10:08 - 00:17:00 Why did Venki change his field of study from physics to biology?
00:17:00 - 00:24:00 Has the outlook towards a career in science and its landscape evolved over the years?
00:24:00 - 00:27:45 How and why did Venki decide to take a risk of studying and researching ribosomes?
00:27:45 - 00:39:40 Venki explains the structure and functioning of ribosomes and his research in the field
00:39:40 - 00:42:16 Venki shares his interaction with molecular biologist James Watson
00:42:16 - 00:44:20 How did winning the Nobel Prize affect Venki and his career?
00:44:20 - 00:49:00 How has the field and study of ribosomes progressed after Venki’s ground breaking research?
00:49:00 - 00:54:35 What led to Venki researching longevity and writing his book “Why We Die”?
00:54:35 - 01:01:00 How has the study of longevity progressed and what are the methods to achieve the same?
01:01:00 - 01:05:23 What can we expect out of the longevity studies and research in the coming decades?
01:05:23 - 01:09:58 What are some takeaways from Venki’s book that he applies to his own life?
01:09:58 - 01:11:00 Concluding today’s episode

Resource List -

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[tabishumaransari]

Thanks a lot for this podcast. Venki sounds like a very fun guy. I've been listening to him ever since he became the president of the royal society. I hope the trend of inviting scientists on the podcast continues. It may not attract the most views initially, just as doing basic science doesn't give an immediate return on investiment, but it pays off in the long-term. Similarly, I think these episodes will age well.

[akshitagupta]

This podcast is full of learning for all youngsters and very inspirational. Thank you so much for bringing such an eminent guest to us

[tejassuresh]

James Watson afaik has a long association with indian institutions he has visited ccmb centre for human genetics amongst other places its not just watson sydney brenner and many other nobel laureates too .Please do invite Siddhartha Mukherjee on your podcast will be fun

[jithenin]

Thank you MUKESH JI for this Conversation with VENKI RAMAKRISHNAN JI ❤👍

[axeeffect]

As long as wealth creators in India will keep on chasing more wealth, angel investing rather real philanthropy to give back to society, hard to create a culture of knowledge and scholarship in India ! Venky would have been a grumpy professor, looked down upon as underachieve by society, had he stayed back !