Dr. M. Balasubramanian has done M. Sc in Chemistry from University of Madras and Ph. D in Organic Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He worked in the Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Science & Technology from April 1984 and later joined the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) as the Principal Scientific Officer where he became the Advisor from July 1995. His significant contributions included administration and implementation of programs of DBT   in the area of Human Resource Development, promoting   basic research in biotechnology and popularizing biotechnology among the masses. He served as a Member in numerous high level government committees, and the committees of CSIR. Earlier he had worked as a R&D Manager in the Government Opium & Alkaloids Works, Neemuch (MP).

He had also worked in IDPL, Rishikesh and developed wide experience in antibiotics production.  He was a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the University College of Swansea, University of Wales (UK) where he worked on heterocyclic compounds.