Professor (Dr) Pratap Jyoti Handique, formerly a professor of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, obtained PhD degree from Gauhati University and postdoctoral research on molecular biotechnology at Leicester University, United Kingdom. He is one of the pioneers who worked for the development of Biotechnology in North East India. He has been involved in frontline areas of research in Biotechnology for last 30 years. He was awarded the prestigious Biotechnology Overseas Associateship Award, 2004-05 by the DBT, New Delhi. He has published over 153 research papers in national and international journals, over 45 book chapters. He has developed several bioinformatics based ‘Database’; authored one research book on Medicinal Plants and edited two books on various aspects of Science and Technology. He has contributed over 130 DNA and gene sequences to biological databases. Dr. Handique has successfully completed 17 major R&D research projects on Biotechnology funded by DBT, DST, IACR, NMBP and other government agencies.

Prof Handique has guided 49 (forty nine) PhD students till July 2021 on various aspects of Biotechnology. He has coordinated and contributed in the formulations of the State Biotechnology Policy of Assam which has been declared by the Government of Assam under Advantage Assam Policy in 2017. He is a recipient of Fellow of Linnean Society (FLS) of London in the year 2017. He has been associated with and holding key positions in various scientific organizations/ institutions/societies of the country and abroad. He has also contributed a good number of literary articles, stories and poems and popular science articles in Assamese and English language.

1. Vice Chancellor, Gauhati University (2019- till date)
2. Vice Chancellor, Assam Science and Technology University, Guwahati (additional charge w.e.f. 23 June 2021- till date)
3. Chairperson (2019-2024), SLET Commission, Guwahati, Assam.
4. Chairperson (2020-2023): Research Advisory Committee, CMERTI, (Lahdoigarh, Jorhat), Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textile.
5. Chairperson (2019-2024), Selection Committee for appointment of Principals of Provincialised Colleges affiliated under Gauhati University.
6. Member (2020-2023), State Audit Advisory Board, Office of the Accountant General (Audit), Assam.
7. Member (2019-2022), Executive Council, Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Science, Guwahati, Assam.
8. Member (2019-2024), Board of Management, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health (Ministry of Health), Tezpur.
9. Member (2019-2024), Governing Council, IASST (DST, G.O.I), Guwahati.
10. Member (2020-2023), Research Coordination Committee, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textile, Bengaluru.
11. Member (2019-2024), Board of Management, Assam Administrative Staff College, Guwahati, Assam.
12. Member (2019-2024), Governing Council, OKD Institute of Social Change and Development, Guwahati, Assam.

 Key Note, Invited Talk delivered during last 5 years [2012-2018]

1. Resource Person: Integrating Research Projects and Contemporary Laboratory Practices in Teaching Learning. MHRD sponsored Workshop on : Exploring ways for an outcome  based holistic approach to revitalize the teaching–learning process in Higher Education’, at Jagiroad College, 10/03/2018
2. Key Note Address: DBT sponsored Workshop on – “DNA Barcoding”, Handique Girls’ College, Guwahati. 06/03/2018
3. Resource Person: Research Project Assessment, UGC Orientation Course. UGC-HRDC, GU. 28/02/2018
4. Resource Person: State Level Workshop on “Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques”, Devicharan  Barua Girls’ College, Jorhat. 24/02/2018
5. Resource person: UGC Orientation Course. Topic: Current Trends in Science & Technology, UGC-HRDC, GU. 11/02/2018
6. Resource person: Project Assessment. 114 Orientation Program. Topic: Research Design and Project Grant Opportunities. UGC-HRDC, GU. 20/12/2017
7. Resource person: UGC, Short Term Course on Research methodology, Topic: Research Design and Project Grant Opportunities. UGC-HRDC, GU. 24/11/2017
8. Resource person: UGC, 114 Orientation Program. Topic: Current Trends in Science & Technology, UGC-HRDC, GU. 23/11/2017
9. Key Note address:  Biotechnology intervention on medicinal plants of NE India. PAPOTHECARY-2017, Regional workshop. 25 March, 2017 at GU –Guwahati.
10. Invited Talk:  Biotechnology based improvement program for economically important medicinal plants of NE India. International Symposium on Plant Biotechnology for Crop Improvement (ISPBCI-2017), 20-21 January, 2017 at Indian Institute of Technology -Guwahati.
11. Invites Talk: Workshop on Scientific Research Paper Writing. BSA. 14 July 2017, Dept of Botany, GU.
12. Invited talk: Technique and application of Biotechnology Lecturer cum Interactive session on application of Biotechnology, under Star College Scheme, Chaiduar College, Gohpur, Assam on 21/02/2017.
13. Invited as Distinguish Guest, Foundation Day Celebration, 5th Sept, 2016, Pashim Guwahati, College, Dharapur, Guwahati-781017
14. Invited Lecture: Star College Programme (DBT), 16th Sept, 2016in BP Chaliha College, Nagarbera. Topic: Animal Biodiversity of NE India: Biotechnological Perspective.
15. Key Note address: UGC National Seminar on “Recent Advances in Medicinal Plants Research of North East India” (RAMPR-NE 2016), “topic- Medicinal Plants of North East India:  A conspectus on Biodiversity, Bio-prospecting and Bio-piracy”.  ADP College, 11-12 Nov 2016 .
16. Resource Person: “An overview of Bioinformatics: Application in Life Sciences”, in Short term training program- Application of Bioinformatics in Life Science Research- BIF, College of Veterinary College, Guwahati (under BTISnet, DBT), 06/12/2016.
17. Resource Person: Refresher Course in Environmental Science, (8-28 Dec 2016)-UGC-HRDC-GU- “Guidelines for Project proposal preparation”- 13/12/2016
18. Resource Person: Refresher Course in Environmental Science, (8-28 Dec 2016)-UGC-HRDC-GU- “Discussion on Project Proposal”- 23/12/2016
19. Resource Person: Refresher Course UGC-ASC, G.U. Environmental Hazards – Risk of Biological and Chemical Hazards to Human Health, 10/06/2015
20. Key Note address: Biotechnological research in N E India: present and future (Workshop V) DBT-AAU Centre,Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. Biotechnology for Economically Important Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of NE India:  Present Status and Identifying Prospective Research Priorities. 18-20 Sept, 2014.
21. Resource Person: DBT’s Star College Scheme workshop DBT (New Delhi), St. Edmund's College, Shillong, Plant Biotechnology: Tools  and Technique, 25/07/2014
22. Invited Talk: Biodiversity of medicinal plants in northeast India. National Workshop – Big data challenges in Biology: data Deluge in Biology-Use of High-performance Grid & Cloud computing. Organised by : ABAB & C-DAC Bangalore  at Jorhat Medical College.20/12/2013
23. Resource Person: Research Methodology and Guidelines for Project reparation. Refresher Course in Environmental Science.  Academic Staff College, GU, 27.12.12
24. Resource Person: Gene amplification and PCR Technology. Refresher Course in Life sciences. Academic Staff College, GU. 19.12.12
25. Resource Person: Gene isolation, Cloning and Transformation. Refresher Course in Life sciences. Academic Staff College, GU. 18.12.12

1. Coordinator : Refresher Course in  Current Trends in Science & Technology, UGC-HRDC, G.U. (25 Oct- 14 Nov, 2017) 
2. Coordinator : DST-FIST Program-2012 in Biotechnology (2014-2019)
3. Coordinator : Preparation of Draft Biotechnology Policy of Assam, Assigned by ASTEC, Guwahati (2012-2016) 
4. Coordinator : Administration & Logistics, GU-IST (2009-2012)
5. Co-coordinator : Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility (BIF) of G.U., funded by DBT (2009-2013)

 Research Areas of Interest 

1. Biodiversity conservation and assessment
2. Molecular Markers, DNA Barcoding 
3. Molecular Genetics 
4. Genomics
5. Microbial Biotechnology
6. Medicinal Plant Biotechnology and Bioprospecting
7. RNA Virus
8. Host-pathogen molecular interactions
9. Bioinformatics and drug desiging

Number of students guided for PhD/ Post Doc/ MD (medicine)

PhD student

• Awarded : 36
• Submitted: 04
• Ongoing : 11

Post Doctoral Student

• 01 (DSK Fellow-UGC- Ongoing)

MD (Medicine) student

•  01 (MD in Biochemistry, Guwahati Medical College) 

1. Fellow of Linnean Society, London [2017]
2. Felicitation from Govt of Assam for contribution to the Biotechnology Policy of Assam [2017]
3. Bronze Medal Award, HTM-2017, Bengkok, Thailand [2017]
4. Fellow [Founder] Indian Society of Hill Agriculture, Ranisori, Uttarakhand [2012]
5. DBT's Overseas Associateship Award :2004-2005 [2005]
6. Member, Research Board of Advisers, American Biographical Institute [2004]
7. Member, Board of International Advisers,  International Foundations for Science, Swiden [2000] 
8. Fellow, Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding, IARI, New Delhi [1999]
9. Fellow of Society and Sciences, Dumka,[2000]
10. National Merit Scholarship for PG course, UGC, New Delhi [1980-1982]

 As Principal Investigator

Area of study: Molecular Biotechnology

Institution: Department of Biology, University of Leicester, United Kingdom

Duration: 2005-2006

1. Head, Department of Biotechnology, GU (2010-2013)
2. Member, Executive Council, Gauhati University (2013)
3. Member, Gauhati University Court (2013) 
4. Member, Academic Council, G.U. (2007-till date)
5. Member, College Development Council, G.U. (2013-2014)
6. Chairman, DRC, Biotechnology, G.U. (2010-2013)
7. Chairman, DAC, Biotechnology, G.U. (2010-2013)
8. Chairman, IBSC, Gauhati University, (2010-2013)
9. Chairman, CCS in Biotechnology, G.U. (2010-2013)
10. Coordinator, DST-FIST Program, Dept. of Biotechnology, G.U. (2015-2020)
11. Coordinator, Administration & Logistics, GUIST, (2009-2012)
12. Co-Coordinator, BIF (DBT Funded) , Gauhati University (2009-2014)

Responsibility in other Institutions/Universities

1. Member, Research Advisory Committee, CMERTI, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India (2017-2020)
2. Member, Governing Body, North Guwahati College, (2013 - till date)
3. Chairman, Central Purchase Committee, IBSD (DBT), Imphal, Manipur (2011-2014)
4. Member, Advisory Committee for Agrilcultural Biotechnology Program, Assam Agril. University ( 2012-till date)
5. Member, Advisory Committee, M.Tech Program in Biotechnology, IIT-Guwahati ( 2012-2015)
6. DBT Nominee, IBSC, Assam Agril. University, Jorhat ( 2010- till date)
7. Member, Technical Committee, State Medicinal Plants Board, Assam ( 2005-2009)
8. Member, Research Council, IASST, Guwahati ( 2002-2007)

View at Google scholar

Research paper in peer reviewed journals: 136

Book Chapters: 37

Research paper in conference Proceedings: 42

Books: Authored - 01, Edited - 02 

1. P.J. Handique (2017). Biotechnology Intervention in Medicinal Plants of North East India- A Review. Journal of Bioresources,  4 (1), 1-11
2. G.D. Nongthombam, R.K. Labala, S. Das, P.J. Handique, N.C. Talukdar,  (2017). Evaluation and Selection of Potential Biomass Sources of North-East India towards Sustainable Bioethanol Production. Front. Energy Res. 5:16. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2017.00016
3. S.  Moirangthem, N.S. Singh, P.J. Handique, H.S. Devi (2017). Population genetic structure analysis of  Citrus reticulata Blanco of North Eastern Hill Region of India using ISSR Marker. Plant Cell Biotechnology and Molecular Biology 18(1&2):1-9; 2017 ISSN: 0972-2025.
4. R.C. Jose, N.D. Grihalakshmi, B. Louis, P.J. Handique, N.C. Talukdar (2017). Confined Enzymatic Activity of S. scitamineum and U. esculenta at the Smut Gall during Infection. Biol Syst Open Access 6: 182. doi:10.4172/2329-6577.1000182
5. P. Chattopadhyay, P.J. Handique (2017). Biotechnological targets and improvement in the genus Dendrobium Sw. (family Orchidaceae): A Review. Journal of Advanced Plant Sciences 9 (2), 1-9
6. P.J. Handique, M. Garg (2017). Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of a medicinal plant Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes Lam., grown in NE India. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 8 (8), 3524-3529
7. P. Kaushik, S. Naskar, P.J. Handique, H. Rahman, D.K. Sarma (2017). Genetic polymorphism of growth hormone releasing hormone gene in exotic and crossbred pigs. Indian J. Anim. Res 51 (2), 231-234
8. S. Mahanta, P. Chowdhury, S. Nahar, B. Tanti, P.J. Handique (2016). Discovery of natural inhibitors targeting 2 - trans enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis by structure based drug designing. Annals of Plant Sciences, 5.9 : 1417-1423
9. R.C. Jose, S. Goyari, B. Louis, S.D. Waikhom, P.J. Handique,  N.C. Talukdar (2016). Investigation on the biotrophic interaction of Ustilago esculenta on Zizania latifolia found in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Microbial Pathogenesis. 98: 6-15
10. R. Debnath, A. Yadav, V.K. Gupta, B.P. Singh, P.J. Handique, R. Saikia (2016). Rhizospheric Bacterial Community of Endemic Rhododendron arboreum Sm. Ssp. delavayi along Eastern Himalayan Slope in Tawang. Frontiers in Plant Science 7, article 1345, 1-13
11. P. Kaushik, S. Naskar, P.J. Handique, H. Rahman, D.K. Sarma  (2016). Genetic polymorphism of growth hormone releasing hormone gene in exotic and crossbred pigs. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 51(2), 231-234
12. J. Dutta, S. Gupta, D. Thakur, P.J. Handique (2016). First report of Nigrospora leaf blight on tea caused by Nigrospora sphaerica in India. Plant Disease 100 (1), 221
13. P. Hazarika, N. Ullah, P.J. Handique (2016). Assessment of Biochemical Quality of Ten Selected Dried Fish Products of North East India. International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology, Vol. 3 (3):  183-186.
14. W.A. Singh, P.J. Handique, H.S. Devi (2016). Musa sikkimensis Kurz(Musaceae): A note on the rediscovery from Manipur, India. Folia malaysiana 17 (1), 47-53
15. S. Das, P.J. Handique (2016). Isolation of field strains of porcine group-A rotavirus associated with piglet diarrhea in NE India fostered in MA-104 Celline. Animal Science Reporter, 10 (2), 72-80
16. S. Das, P.J. Handique (2016).  Detection of Porcine Rotaviruses Group A in Free-ranging and Farm Pig Population of NE India. IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry,  2 (1), 62-66
17. N. Ullah, H. Hazarika, P.J. Handique (2016). Biochemical Quality Assessment of Ten Selected Dried Fish Species of North East India. International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology, Vol. 3 (1): 30-33
18. R.C. Jose, B. Louisa, S. Goyari, S.D. Waikhoma, P.J. Handique, N.C. Talukdar (2016).  Biotrophic interaction of Sporisorium scitamineum on a new host—Saccharum spontaneum. Micron, 81, 8-15
19. W.A. Singh, N.S. Singh, P.J. Handique, H. Sunitibala Devi (2015). Morpho-taxonomical and molecular assessment of Musa genotypes from northeast India by morphological and inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism markers. Plant Systematics and Evolution. (Springer). 301 (2), 563-575
20. J. Dutta, P.J. Handique, D. Thakur (2015). Assessment of Culturable Tea Rhizobacteria Isolated from Tea Estates of Assam, India for Growth Promotion in Commercial Tea Cultivars. Frontiers in Microbiology. 6:1252. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01252.
21.  D. Goswami, S.N. Borah, J. Lahkar, P.J. Handique, S. Deka (2015). Antifungal properties of rhamnolipid produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa DS9 against Colletotrichum falcatum, Journal of basic microbiology, 55 (11): 1265-1274.
22. S.A. Devi, B. Thongam, P.J. Handique (2015). Multivariate analysis of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) taxa in Manipur (India) through morphological variables. Brazilian Journal of Botany, 1-8
23. A.S. Sharma, O.N. Tiwari, P.J. Handique (2015). Characterization of unicellular microgreen algae of Manipur, India falling under Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots with special emphasis on lipid composition. Annals of Biological Research 6 (11), 31-38
24. S. Asharani Devi, B. Thongam, P.J. Handique (2014). Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Andrews cultivated as an ornamental, food and vegetable in the North Eastern region of India. Genet Resour Crop Evol. (Springer), DOI 10.1007/s10722-014-0177-3
25. P. Kaushik, S. Naskar, P.J. Handique, H. Rahman, A Das, AK Das (2014). Molecular Characterization of Growth Hormone Gene in Exotic and Crossbred Pigs. International Journal of Advanced Technology in Engineering and Science, 2 (8), 519-521
26. P.J. Handique (2014). In Vitro Propagation and Medicinal Attributes of Tinospora Cordifolia: A Review. Austin Journal of Biotechnology & Bioengineering. 1(5): 1-5
27. Chongtham Chanchal, B. Thongam, P.J. Handique (2014). Morphological diversity and characteri-zation of some of the wild Piper species of North East India. Genet Resour Crop Evol.  DOI 10.1007/s10722-014-0172-8
28.  T. Chowdhury, P.J. Handique (2014). Homology modelling and in-silico analysis of multidrug resistant protein, pmpm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bioresearch Bulletin. 3(2):1-10
29.  M. Saikia, P.J. Handique (2014). In vitro propagation and assessment of genetic fidelity of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia) using RAPD markers and evaluation of their antibacterial efficacy: pharmaceutically important medicinal plant. World Jour of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 3(9): 1542-1559
30.  G. Bora, H.K. Gogoi, P.J. Handique (2014). Micropropagation of Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. Lota Bhot via Indirect Organogenesis. Int. Jour. of Agriculture Sciences, 6(1):384-387
31.  S. Pradhan, B.C. Basistha, K.B. Subba, M. Sharma, P.J. Handique (2014). Estimation of Genetic Diversity among Five Cultivars of Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Ginger) of Sikkim Himalaya using RAPD Marker. SMU Medical Journal.1(1):146-165
32.  G. Bora, H.K. Gogoi, P.J. Handique (2014). In Vitro Organogenesis of Naga Chilli (Bhot jolokia) via leaf derived callus culture. World Res. Jour. of Agril Biotec. 2(1): 035-038.
33.  M. Saikia, P.J. Handique (2014). In vitro propagation of Acalypha indica Linn: a medicinally important plant.  Int.  J. LifeSc. Bt & Pharm. Res.  3(2):86-93
34. D. Baruah, P.J. Handique (2014). Estimation of the efficiency of siderophore production in pathogenic bacteria Bacillus anthracis and Serratia marcescens. South Asian J Exp Biol. 4 (3): 91-95; 2014
35. Rajal Debnath, R. Saikia, R.K. Sarma, Archana Yadav, T.C. Bora, P.J. Handique (2013.  Psychrotolerant antifungal Streptomyces isolated from Tawang, India and the shift in chitinase gene family, Extremophiles, DOI 10.1007/s00792-013-0587-8
36. P.B. Sharma, H.S. Devi, P.J. Handique (2013). Antioxidant properties, Physico-chemical characteristics and proximate composition of five wild fruits of Manipur, India, J. Food Technol., (Online) :  DOI-10-1007/s13917-013-1128-2
37. M. Saikia, P.J. Handique (2013).  Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of leaf, bark, pulp and seed extracts of seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia D. Don) of Sikkim Himalayas, J. Med. Plants Res. (Academic Journals) Vol. 7(19), pp. 1330-38
38. G. Bora, H.K. Gogoi, P.J. Handique 2013). Micropropagation of Capsicum chinense cv.Lota Bhot via indirect organogenesis. Int. Jour. of Agricultural Sciences 6 (1), 384-387
39. S.A. Devi, B. Thongam, P.J. Handique (2013). Lesser-known species of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) and their new distributional recotds in Mapipur, NE India. Folia Malaysiana 14 (2), 33-40
40. Rubani Shahni, P.J. Handique (2013). Antibacterial properties of leaf extracts of Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze, a rare ethno-medicinal plant of Manipur, India, International Jr. of PharmTech Research, Vol.5, No.3, 1281-1285
41. W.A. Singh, P.J. Handique, Huidrom Sunitibala Devi (2013). Musa ochracea K. Sheph. (Musaceae) from Manipur, India, Annals of Plant Sciences, 02 (08), 321-323
42. W.A. Singh, S.B. Gopalrao, T. Gourshyam, P.J. Handique, H.S. Devi (2013). DEBDOM: Database Exploring Banana Diversity of Manipur, Bioinformation, 9(5):270-273
43. S.S. Choudhury, P.J. Handique (2013). TDZ enhances multiple shoot production from nodal explants of Tinospora cordifolia-a commercially important medicinal plant species of NE India, Research Jr. Biotechnology, Vol. 8 (5)
44. J. Das,  A.A. Mao, P.J. Handique (2013): Callus-mediated organogenesis and effect of growth regulators, on production of different valepotriates in Indian valerian (Valeriana jatamansi Jones.), Acta Physiol Plant, 35 : 55–63
45. M. Saikia, P.J. Handique (2013). Antioxidant and Antibacterial activity of leaf and bark extracts of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia D. Don) of North East India, Int. J. LifeSc. Bt & Pharm. Res., Vo.2 (1): 80-91
46. N.K. Goswami, P.J. Handique (2013). Explants Size Response to in Vitro Propagation of Musa (Aaa Group) ‘Amritsagar’ Musa (Aab Group) ‘Malbhog’ and Musa (Aab Group) ‘Chenichampa’ Banana. Indian Journal of Applied Research 3 (8), 4
47. D. Goswami, P.J. Handique, S. Deka (2013). “Rhamnolipid biosurfactant against Fusarium sacchari – the causal organism of pokkah boeng disease of sugarcane”. Paper accepted for publication in Journal of Basic Microbiology (IF. 1.266).

 Courses [M.Sc and PhD course work]

1. Genetic Engineering 
2. Genomics and Proteomics
3. Computational Biology
4. Molecular Biology
5. Bioinformatics 
6. Plant & Animal Biotechnology

Teaching Experience

1. Professor of Biotechnology, Gauhati University since 2007
2. Associate Professor & Lecturer in Biotechnology, Gauhati University, 1992-2007
3. Lecturer in Life Science, Dibrugarh University, 1991-1992

 Association with Academic Bodies / Societies / Journals

1. Vice President, Indian Society for Hill Agriculture, ranisori, Uttarakhand (2009- till date)
2. Vice President, Botanical Society of Assam, Guwahati (2015-2017)
3. Life Member, Indian Society for Biochemistry and Biotechnology, New Delhi
4. Life Member, Indian Fern Society
5. Life Member, Indian Society of genetics & Plant Breeding, New Delhi
6. Life Member, Seabuckthorn Association of India, New Delhi
7. Chief Editor, Journal of Advanced Plant Sciences, BSA, Guwahati
8. Reviewing Editor, Journal of Bioresources, RGU, Itanagar ( ISSN: 2394-4315)
9. Editorial Board Member, Austin Jornal of Biotechnology & Bioengineering, New Jersey, USA
10. General Secretary, North East Biotechnological Association, Guwahati (2003-2007)