George Thomas, Ph.D., is a molecular biologist known for his pioneering work in plant biotechnology. During his PhD at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), he achieved India’s first gene cloning and sequencing experiments in rice, leading to a publication in Nature in 1983 on rice histone genes. Following postdoctoral research at the NIH on eye lens crystallin genes, he returned to India to advance rice biotechnology at the SPIC Science Foundation, Chennai.
Over his career, he rose from Group Leader to Director, helping establish the Foundation’s Centre for Biotechnology as a leading research and training hub. His research focused on salt tolerance, male sterility, and insect resistance in rice. During research visits to The Scripps Research Institute, he developed the RAGE (Random Amplification of Genomic End) technique, which enabled efficient isolation of gene promoters before genome sequencing technologies became widely available.
As COO of AgriGenome, he led genomics and plant research programs, including the development of one of India’s early genome-edited tomato varieties. He also served as Honorary Director of the SGRF, organizing the internationally recognized NGBT conference series for nine consecutive years, and was a two-term member of the DBT Task Force on Insect Control. Throughout his career, he has mentored numerous scientists and students while contributing significantly to plant genomics and biotechnology in India.
