Department of Biotechnology

Gauhati University

Guwahati- 781014

Assam, India

Email ID: biotechnology@gauhati.ac.in

The Department of Biotechnology was established in the year 1993. Since its inception, the Department has been creating manpower in diverse areas of biotechnology and is engaged in conducting research in frontier areas of the subject. The faculty members have been actively involved in teaching and research and have achieved accolades from various corners of the scientific community. Over the last two decades, a number of research projects have been funded by DBT, DST, ICAR, MoEF, DRDO, UGC, ICMR, NMPB, SERB, GBPIHED, ASTEC and Govt. of Assam that has contributed to biotechnology research and extension. Major funds for infrastructure development were received from DBT and DST (FIST Program) in the last five years.

The Mission

To impart education in the area of biotechnology and bioengineering and to develop highly trained manpower for facing global challenges in the field of Biotechnology and to create awareness among the society to harness the benefits of modern biotechnological innovation.

Objectives

To conduct academic programmes for Post Graduate courses (M.Sc. and PhD) in Biotechnology through up-to-date curricula to develop trained manpower in the areas of Miocropropagation Technology, Food Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Natural Product Chemistry, Microalgae bioenergy, Bioprospecting, Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Medical Biotechnology and Neutraceuticals.

To carry out need-based research in different areas of Biotechnology, giving priority to areas like in-vitro multiplication and conservation of rare and endangered plants of the NE region, Bioprospecting and bioassay of medicinal plants, Food Biotechnology specially fermented foods of the sub-Himalayan region, biopesticides, biofertilizers, Microalgae bioenergy, cancer chemoprevention and probiotics.

Programmes of Study

• M.Sc. in Biotechnology
• Ph.D. in Biotechnology

M.Sc. (Biotechnology) Department of Biotechnology offers full time M.Sc. programme in Biotechnology. This programme is completed in four (4) semesters with both theory and practical courses. The Department offers two (2) special courses in 3rd and 4^th semesters in (i) Bioresource & Environmental Biotechnology (BEB), (ii) Food Biotechnology & Bioprocessing (FBB). The M.Sc. students undertake a 2-semester research project to orient them towards research in different areas of Biotechnology. Eligibility: Candidates with B.Sc./B.Tech degree in Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry, Zoology and other allied subjects of Biology from recognized universities can apply for the programme.The candidates are selected by a centralized Entrance Examination (CEE) conducted by the University during the Month of July. First semester classes generally starts from First week of August. (Find more details in the Prospectus)Intake capacity: 18 (Reservations in accordance with Govt. Of Assam rules) + 2 (Reserved for B.Sc. Biotechnology students) Courses offered under M.Sc. Biotechnology programme:

• Biochemistry I (BIT-1016)
• Microbiology (BIT-1026)
• Cell and Molecular Biology (BIT-1036)
• Bioinstrumentation (BIT-1062)
• Genetic Engineering (BIT-2016)
• immunology (BIT-2026)
• Biochemistry II (BIT-2036)
• Biostatistics and Research Methodology (BIT-2062)
• Plant and Animal Biotechnology (BIT-3016)
• Bioinformatics (BIT-3026)
• Bioresource and Environmental Biotechnology I (BIT-3036)
• Food Biotechnology and Bioprocessing I (BIT-3046)
• Computational Biology (BIT-3086)
• Genomics and Proteomics (BIT-4016)
• Bioresource and Environmental Biotechnology II (BIT-4026)
• Food Biotechnology and Bioprocessing II (BIT-4026)
• Medical Biotechnology (BIT-4043)
• Dissertation (BIT-4059)
• Industrial Biotechnology (BIT-4066)
• Advanced Lab Visit (BIT-4072)

Students have to undertake Six month dissertation work in the 4^th semester under the faculties of the Department.The students are given a one month summer placement at various reputed institutes from NE India. Ph. D. in BiotechnologyThe Department offers programme of study leading to  Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology. The Department has collaborations with IASST,Guwahati,  NEIST, Jorhat, GMC, Guwahat, RMRC(ICMR), Dibrugarh, DRL(DRDO), Tezpur, TRA, Jorhat, IBSD, Imphal for providing Ph.D. degree. For enrolment as Ph.D. students in the Department the candidate should qualify the GU-RET conducted by the university. The entrance test is based on Master level knowledge of Biological Sciences. Additionally the candidates might be evaluated on the basis of general aptitude in Science and relevant subjects of Science in the entrance Examination   Eligibility Candidates having a M.Sc. degree in Biotechnology and any other cognate subject of Biology are eligible for applying. Applicants have to clear the CEE for eligibility for admission.   

Duration: Minimum: Two (2) years from the date of registration     

Maximum: Six (6) years from the date of registration.  Intake capacity   Depends on the availability of vacancies available with recognized guide.  Research   Faculty members of the Department are involved in various research and extension activities. The infrastructural facilities of the Department  were developed by the support from UGC, DBT, DST, Govt. Of Assam, NMPB, New Delhi. Moreover, faculty members also support research activities through their individual research projects funded by national and international funding agencies. Major areas of Research in the Department   Plant and Animal Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Microbiology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Medicinal Plants, Algal Biotechnology and Biofuels, Phytoremediation, Basic & Applied molecular Biology, Genomics & Proteomics.
Facilities available The Department offers well equipped laboratory space for Research Scholars to conduct their Ph.D. research works. Students working in other institutes as research Fellows can avail their respective facilities for experimentations.  Compulsory Coursework Enrolled students have to complete their six month Ph.D. coursework before final registration.  [For more details please consult Prospectus]

The following laboratories are available in the Department for M.Sc. practical and PhD research. Besides, there are well-equipped laboratories under each faculty members developed through extramural project funds.

Laboratories

1. Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory
2. Food Biotechnology Laboratory
3. Biochemistry Laboratory
4. Microbiology Laboratory
5. Animal Cell Culture Laboratory
6. Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory
7. Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF)

Other facilities

1. Green House
2. DBT sponsored Institutional Biotech Hub
3. Animal house
4. Bioinformatics Facility (BIF)
5. Microalgal Biofuel Unit
6. Departmental Research Farm
7. RUSA-funded facility for research
   

Equipment available

1. Real-Time PCR
2. BSL-II safety cabinet
3. High-Speed Refrigerated Centrifuge
4. Gel Documentation System
5. Lyophilizer
6. Spectrophotometer
7. Gas Chromatography
8. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
9. Plant growth chamber
10. Isothermal and Gradient PCR
11. Ultra-low Freezer (-80 deg. C)
12. Deep Freezer (-20 deg. C)
13. Shaking incubator
14. Laminar Air Flow
15. Rotary evaporator
16. Ultrasonicator
17. Nanodrop-Spectrophotometer-Plate reader
    

On-going Projects under the Faculty Members as Principal Investigator

Prof. A.K. Handique:

1. Pharmacological and molecular characterization of some endangered plants of NE India with reference to their adaptogenic activity.(2012- 15).  DBT funded. (12.75 Lakh)
2. Evaluation of nutritive values of wild and edible insects of Assam and their processing for boosting shelf life and rural economy. Ministry of Food processing , Govt. of India. Duration:  2016-2019. (38 Lakhs).
3. DBTs Scented Rice Programme for N. E India (Evaluation of nutritive and nutraceutical value values of indigenous land races of Assam. DBT Funded. 2016-19. (38.70 Lakhs).

Prof. M.C. Kalita

1. Integrating herbal medicine of NER with contemporary approaches to develop therapeutic strategies  for metabolic syndrome (PI). DBT Funded under NER – DDRC  Health. (2016-19).  
2. Integrated Biorefinery approach towards production of sustainable fuel  and chemicals from algal biobased systems(PI). DBT Indo-Brazil research collaboration. 2016-20. 
3. Nephroprotective therapeutic validation of ethno-medicinal plants of North-East India against cisplantin induced chemotherapeutic toxicity (1 year). DBT funded. (34 Lakhs).

Prof. P. J. Handique

1. Unraveling bacterial blight pathogenesis based on rice RNAs as induced by virulent and less-virulent strains of Xanthmonas oryzae pv. oryzae in presence or absence of functional T3SS. DBT (2016-2019)
2. Characterization and Consolidation of Hippophae Genetic Resources and Propagation of Elite Genotypes for Varietal Evaluation.  DBT  (2014 – 18). 
3. Enumeration of medicinal plants used by the Deori tribe of Assam with emphasis to the documentation and analysis of their indigenous knowledge system and traditional herbal pharmacopoeia. DST-NRDMS.(2016-2019)

Dr. Sujoy Bose:

1. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanism associated with the development and severity of alcoholic liver disease- A northeast Indian patient based study. 2012 -15. DBT, Govt. of India. (9.11 Lakh).
2. Role of deregulation in multiple signaling cascades and their crosstalk in the development of gall bladder diseases and carcinomas in northeast India. DST-SERB. Dec 2012-2016. (3.00 lakhs).
3. Screening of genetic and immunological factors in human papilloma virus infection induced cervical cancer: A north-east India based study. 2014 – 17. DBT funded.  (16.20 lakhs).
4. Study the role of deregulation in multiple signaling cascades, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in the development of gall bladder diseases and carcinomas in the northeast India. 2014- 17. DBT, Govt. of India. (47.37 lakhs).

Dr. Pranjan Barman

1. Molecular and Biochemical studies on indigenous medicinal plants from the North East India including Urginea indica (Bon Pollundu) and Dactyloscapnos scandens for the development of potential Anti-diabetic formulations. (Recommended for funding- Expected grant amount is 95.96 Lakhs).
2. Functional characterization of the regulatory genes involved in pungency in Capsicum sp.(Recommended for funding- Expected grant amount is 1.12 Crore).
3. DBT NER project on Banana (Consortium mode) Group I.
4. Co-coordinator, Institutional Biotech Hub, Gauhati University,

Dr. M.I. Khan:

1. Studies on biosynthesis of betalains to develop in vitro bio-mimetic pigment production technology. (UGC Start up grant). 2016- 18. (6 Lakhs).
2. Studies on betatains biosynthetic enzymes for in vitro pigment production and nanocapsulation of betalains for nutraceutical applications. DST-SERB (Early carrier research award). 2017-20. (47 Lakhs).
3. Investigations on metabolite profile and betalains biosynthesis in basella spp. An edible leafy vegetable. 2017-20.(49 Lakhs). 

Prof. MOHAN CHANDRA  KALITA

PATENTS GRANTED: 

Patent Application No. 187/MUM/2004, Publication Date: 05/05/2006 (A method of extraction of an essential oils from Cymbopogon winterianus plant using Clevenger and Cleisen apparatus for protection against pests). Prof M.C. KALITA

Patent Application No. 737/MUM/2004, Publication Date: 16/06/2006 (A method of extraction of bioactive compounds from Ipomoea cornea plant using solvents for protection against pests). Prof M.C. KALITA

PATENT FILED:

1. Application No. 420/KOL/2011, Date: 30/03/2011 (Bioformulation of Penicillum purpurogenum and process for preparation thereof). Prof M.C. KALITA
2. Application No. 502/KOL/2011, Date: 05/04/2011 (Herbal product for mosquito control and its process for preparation thereof). Prof M.C. KALITA
3. Application No. 1585/KOL/2011, Date: 23/12/2011 (Substrate based bioformulation for control of bacterial wilt of brinjal and its preparation threrof). Prof M.C. KALITA
4. Application No. 2560/DEL/2013, Date: 23/9/2013 (A Spin Column System and a Method of Solid Phase Extraction of Target Compounds involving the same). Prof M.C. KALITA
5. Application No. 1202/KOL/2014, Dated 19/11/2014 Crinum asiaticum (Family Amaryllidaceae)- the  potential plant based source for a potent antimalarial agent against Plasmodium falciparum.   Prof M.C. KALITA
6. Application No: 201631030051, Date: 02/07/2016 (Herbal formulation for treatment of hypercholesterolemia). Prof M.C. KALITA

ASSOCIATION WITH ANOTHER PATENT GRANTED:

Mr. Kashyap Gogoi, then a high school student in Hindustan Central School, Guwahati, who was one of the 67 children scientist under the National Children Science Congress (1999) organized by Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India worked in my laboratory under my guidance and supervision for a period over two years since 1999 and scientifically validated his plant based formulation on the biopesticide for controlling termites developed by him in connection with the award for which Mr. Gogoi has been granted a patent on the invention he made (a new formulation on plant based biopesticide against termites). - Prof M.C. KALITA

The Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University is celebrating its Silver Jubilee Year 2017 (1993-2017)

• The celebration was started with an inaugural function held between 18th - 20th June 2017. The functions included Alumni meet, Lectures and Cultural events. 
• As part of the Silver Jubilee year celebrations, eminent scientists/personalities are being invited for Talks and Interactions. 

Other Events:

Workshops/Trainings organized by Advanced Level Biotech Hub (DBT Sponsored) in the last academic year.

• Workshop on “Basic biological tool” for DBT recognised BLiSS school teachers(26^h – 30^th March 2018).
• One day Training Cum workshop on “Basic Bioinformatics Tools” for Post Graduate Students of ADP College(14^th October 2017).
• Workshop on Farmer's Awareness Program entitled "Growing Application of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides in Agriculture“ held in Nagarbera, Kamrup (21^st January 2018)
• Basic Laboratory training for Laboratory Staff during 24^th – 25^th Nov 2017
• Workshop cum awareness program conducted at Assam Science Centre, Tezpur on “Lifestyle disease and its management” (24^th March 2018)