Remembering Professor Krishna K. Tewari (1937–2017): A Pioneer in Plant Molecular Biology

Abstract

Professor Krishna K. Tewari (1937–2017) was a pioneer in plant molecular biology and biochemistry. He was a professor and served as the Chairman of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University of California, Irvine, and was the founder-director of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India. His research was focused on understanding the structure and function(s) of plant mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes, identification of aminoacyl-tRNA in the chloroplast genome, identification, and characterization of the large subunit of RUBISCO, chloroplast DNA polymerase, and topoisomerase I and II. Krishna Tewari also mentored and trained several young scientists. Here, Krishna's students, friends, and colleagues from the community of plant biology have put together a tribute commemorating his memory as a loving human being, a great leader and administrator, and above all an excellent plant biologist.