The Department of Biochemistry is established in 1995 in the University, which was earlier as one of the course paper (1984) and complete course (1989) in the Department of Chemistry with the vision to shape the students to understand molecular mechanism, to find out cause of happenings in the living organism. The Department has maintained Departmental library (480 books, 4 National Journals Current Science, Indian Journal of Biotechnology, Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics). Presently, 28 Ph. D students are working in 5 ongoing research projects worth Rs. 269.42 lakhs from UGC, DST and DBT. Department has produced 12 Ph D since last 5 years. The faculty members of the Department have published 52 research papers in several International as well as National journals (Total citations: 190/64, Average citation: 2.97, Total Impact factor: 66.17, Average Impact factor: 1.27) and presented research papers in 49 International and National conferences and symposia in last 5 years. Two staff members have postdoctoral experience in National Institute of Health, Bethseda, USA; Tuskeegee Institute, Alabama, USA; University of South Florida, USA and National Taiwan University, Taipai, Taiwan. 6 Ph. D students from this department have received post doctoral fellowships at USA, Taiwan and South Korea.

  Sponsorship :

This Department is sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi under DST-FIST for infrastructure development. The course M. Sc. in Environmental Biotechnology is sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi.

  Research Areas :

Department is involved in the research area viz. Bioremediation (Microbial and phyto, Degradation of textile dyes), toxicological studies and cytochrome P450 mediated biotransformation, fermentation, Ayurvedic drugs and its biochemical action, molecular modeling and bioinformatics.

The Department is significantly working in the thrust area of “Microbial Biotransformation (Bioremediation)” and recognized nationally, besides molecular modeling, fermentation, and mechanism of ayurvedic drugs. We are in the process of the development of bioremediation technology for the textile industrial applications which will benefit several cottage industries in Ichalkaranji area.

  Academic Programmes Offered : 

Following academic programs are available in the Department.

• Integrated program for M. Sc. Course in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology (Horizontal mobility).

• M. Sc. Biochemistry.

• M. Sc. Environmental Biotechnology.

• M. Phil. Biochemistry.

• Ph. D in Biochemistry and Environmental Biotechnology.

• P.G. Diploma in Bioinformatics.

  Bridge Courses :

Department has P.G. Diploma in Bioinformatics which serve as additional course. Students can complete this course while doing other postgraduate degree in the University.

  Course Structure :(Papers)

Course structure comprises 16 theory papers of 4 credit hours each. 8 Practical courses of 4 credit hours. Student can take 25% credits from other Departments of their own choice.

SEMESTER- I

LS 141: Cell Biology, Microbiology and Virology

BC 141: Proteins – Structure and Functions

BC 142: Biomolecules

BSI 141: Biostatistics and Bioinformatics with Computer Orientation

LC BC 141: Laboratory Course I

LC BC 142: Laboratory Course II 

SEMESTER-II

BC 241: Enzymology

MB 241: Molecular Biology

BC 242: Bioenergetics

TB 241: Tools and Techniques in Bioscience

LC BC 241: Laboratory Course III

LC BC 242: Laboratory Course IV

 SEMESTER-III

GE 341: Genetic Engineering

IC 341: Immunochemistry

BC 341: Biomembranes & Cytoskeleton

FT 341: Fermentation Technology-I

CB 341: Clinical Biochemistry – I

BET 341: Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology- I

LC BC 345: Laboratory Course V

LC BC 346: Laboratory Course VI

SEMESTER-IV

NC 441: Neurochemistry

CC 441: Carcinogenesis and Cell signaling

MEB 441: Medical and Environmental Biochemistry

BI 441: Bioinformatics

FT 441: Fermentation Technology– II

CB 442: Clinical Biochemistry – II

BET 442: Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology- II

LC BC 445: Laboratory Course VII

LC BC 446: Laboratory Course VIII (Project Work)

Department has animal house, plant tissue culture and cold room facilities.

During last five years this Department has taken initiative to start the Department of Microbiology and Department of Food Science and Technology (received grants of Rs. 50 lakhs for infrastructure development from Ministry of Food Processing & Technology) in the campus.

  Collaboration :

Department has international collaboration with Prof. J. S. Chang from National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan for the doctoral research and with Prof. M. Y. Yoon from Hanyang University Seoul, South Korea. We have interdepartmental collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental science, Botany and Zoology for teaching as well as research.

Department has scientific collaboration to investigate phytochemistry and safety aspects of ayurvedic/herbal drugs with M/S S G PHYTO PHARMA, KOLHAPUR (September 2004- August 2011).

Head,
Department of Bio-Chemistry.