Department of Biochemistry

The department of Biochemistry was started in 1977. Initially it used to offer a diploma. In 1982, it began functioning as a full-fledged department. In the early nineties, biotechnology was emerging as a new trend in biosciences. So the College felt the need to offer such a programme and biotechnology was introduced as a vocational programme from 1995.

The department offers an undergraduate programme in Biochemistry and an undergraduate programme in Biochemistry with vocational Biotechnology. It also offers three certificate courses, namely, Nutrition and Dietetics, Bioinformatics and Microbial Biotechnology.

The Biochemistry programme begins from the second year, and vocational Biotechnology begins from the first year. Biotechnology students join with core Biochemistry from the second year and get their degree in Biochemistry. The intake capacity of Biotechnology is 30, though it receives over 1500 applications per year.

The department has a computer and a departmental library. So far, the department was maintaining all the books. From this year onwards, all Biochemistry and Biotechnology books are kept in the main library except 64 expensive and latest books retained with the department for faculty reference. The library has 1444 books in Biochemistry and 103 in Biotechnology. The department has three spacious laboratories, two for Biochemistry and one for Biotechnology. The department has a faculty room, a storeroom and a preparation room. It also has an animal house which is used for research work. The department has been able to purchase a good number of books every year and has added a few instruments with the funds provided.

The department has been concentrating on DNA fingerprinting, tissue culture of significant medicinal plants, phytochemistry, protein purification, enzyme studies and bioremediation. The department has ongoing projects and 17 publications. chapters have been contributed to books. Participation of the department in the extension activities of the College.

Dr SHAILESH S. SHAH Lecturer M.Sc.,Ph.D.
Ms JYOTNA S. NARULA Lecturer M.Sc.
Dr VINCENT J. BRAGANZA Lecturer M.Sc.,M.S.,Ph.D.
Mr SEBASTIAN V.A. Lecturer M.Sc.
Dr SURESH P. THACKER Lecturer M.Sc.,Ph.D.