He can be best defined a 'molecular architect' because that is what he has been doing for decades now. Understanding the designing of molecules and then synthetically reproducing them in the lab.
He does it without using computer models or complex mathematical equations. "I use the most basic of the chemists equipment like test tubes in which I mix the chemicals and look at the chemical behaviour and bond forming. Using chemical reagents and reactions, we establish molecular connectivity," explains Professor Goverdhan Mehta, former director of IISc, and winner of this year's Gujar Mal Modi Science Foundation for his outstanding contribution in the area of organic synthesis.
The world, as he sees it, is "molecular". In our work of designing molecules, most of the architecture has to be created. The science of chemical synthesis, with a stress on carbon, is what I study, he says.
Neuro-degeneration
In his recent work since two years, Prof Mehta has been looking at naturally occurring herbs, etc that are known to possess certain health related properties. By studying these substances and chemically analyzing them, he has synthesized the basic chemicals present in them in his lab.
Going one step ahead in what could hold immense promise, he has seen some of these chemicals slowing down neuro-degeneration in rats. "Maybe, we could even achieve reversal of such degeneration. With the age profile of the world increasing and with large numbers of elderly, this would be a major achievement," he says.
The slide pictures on the computers show the change in the neuron structures of rats injected with the chemical. The number of dendritic connections are visibly more even to a non-expert in the field. These connections between the many neurons (nerve cells) are very vital and a loss of connection is what leads to states like the Alzheimers'.
Prof Mehta has also synthesized molecules which have implications in the treatment of cancer. "These things of course need more studies and it is up to industry to take it up. I am more interested in understanding the world of molecules."
Once the molecules are made, Prof Mehta uses indirect means of looking at the molecules. "Using spectroscopy or magnetic resonance, we can look at the molecular environment and at the various responses to radiations, etc. We then look at the images, not the molecules," he explains.
His group has been studying the enigmatic form of carbon called the C60 or fullerene molecule shaped like a football or geodesic dome. "You could call it alchemy rather than chemistry the way it was first made by burning two graphite rods held together. Like in a blackbox, you got a beautiful molecule with many questions unanswered. We decided to rationally design and build the C60 molecule and have since the 70s made quite a few bowl structures which are the in-between ones to a full molecule."
Presently a CSIR-Bhatnagar Fellow, Dr. Goverdhan Mehta, is also present President of Paris-based International Council Of Scientific Unions - a Paris based organisation comprising the national scientific academies of a number of countries.
He is a believer of the need for a science for sustainability as also a more lively interaction between science and society. "From class 8 students are taught science as different from the social sciences. Even within science, the differences are made. This truncating of knowledge is not good. It should be holistic. Also, it is not enough to blindly do science without looking at the effect on society. We need perspective. So also social scientists need a scientific outlook."
Methods and values of science need to be imbibed by all while scientists must imbibe concerns of society, is how he puts it.
Science in India , he is categorical, is not doing well. What is often portrayed is not the true picture. "We need a sense of direction, a vision to propel our nation to the top league. Science in our country needs a major shake-up. We need to be more visible internationally. While funding for science has doubled in 7 years, scientific productivity has not! Why?” he wonders.