செயலிற் செம்மை
Excellence in Action
The Department of Biotechnology was established in the year 2002. The Department offers a two year M. Sc., Degree Programme in Biotechnology and a Doctoral Programme leading to Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the Academic year 2002 - 2003. With the full financial support of DBT, Govt. of India, a One Year Post M. Sc., Advanced Diploma Course in Molecular Diagnostics was offered during the period 2008-2013. DBT, Govt. of India has extended financial support for strengthening of laboratory equipment to be utilized for M. Sc., Biotechnology teaching in 2009. The Department has been undertaking research projects of National and International importance in the field of Biotechnology and attracted funds from various funding agencies such as Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), University Grants Commission (UGC), Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB-CSRP) independently as well as in collaboration with many National Institutes/Universities. The Department is also carrying out collaborative research projects sponsored by the industries such as ITC Life Sciences & Technology Centre (ITC LSTC), Bengaluru and Tablets India Limited (TIL), Chennai. The Department is housing a DBT funded National Facility in the form of Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility (BIF) since 2006 and this Centre has received Incentive Awards from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India for getting the first, third and third positions in the category of BIF (Universities) for publication of papers in the journals of high repute for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.
A state of the art Proteomics Facility has been established at the Department with 2D and MALDI (Nature India Spl. Issue Aug 2015) and published papers in the area of proteomics in prestigious journals. The Department has published more than 200 research publications in SCI journals since 2011 with an average impact factor of 2.3. The Department has been nationally recognized by various funding agencies through the schemes such as DST-FIST (Level I, Phase I 2009-11; Level I, Phase II 2016-21), UGC-SAP (DRS I 2011-2016, DRS-II 2017-2022), DST-PURSE (Phase I 2011-2015, Phase II 2016-2019). The industrial tie up has culminated in filing nine Indian Patents out of which two have been published. Many students of the Department have cleared competitive exams such as DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, CSIR-JRF-NET, GATE, ASRB-NET, ICAR-NET, SET and TOEFL and secured top ranks. The faculty members have won awards such as Tamil Nadu Scientist Award [Biological Sciences; 2012], Tamil Nadu Young Women Scientist Award [2010], Shri P. K. Das Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award [2016], BRSI Woman Scientist Award [2014], Shri P. K. Das Memorial Best Faculty Award [Senior category; 2012 & 2013], and Alagappa Excellence Award for Research [2016].
M.Sc., Biotechnology
Ph.D., Biotechnology
Admission Notification for DBT Supported M.Sc., Biotechnology Programme 2020-2021
Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility (BIF) was established at Alagappa University during November 2006 as one of the 52 centres in the Country with the total funding from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India for the promotion of Biology Teaching through Bioinformatics (BT BI) under Biotechnology Information System Network (BTISnet) programme. This facility has High end and Medium end Servers connected to Desktop Systems with OS, Operating and application software, Databases and Journals and internet connectivity. This facility has been regularly used by PG students, Research Scholars and Faculty Members of the Department of Biotechnology of Alagappa University (60 PG, 40 full time research scholars and 6 faculty members) and neighbouring Department & Institutions. The computational facility provided by the BIF since its creation paved the way for (i) publication of 199 research papers in SCI journals with an average impact factor of 2.34 in the area of bioinformatics and Biotechnology (ii) award of 29 PhDs from Alagappa University and (iii) submission of 253 M.Sc., 74 Post M.Sc., Advanced Diploma in Molecular Diagnostics funded by DBT Project Work Dissertations & 5 B.Tech., Project Work Dissertations and (iv) few hundred oral/poster presentations by the Faculty, Research Scholars and PG students in many national/international fora. A database called SPEIDS (Streptococcus pyogenes enzyme inhibitors using Docking Studies) has been developed which includes the annotation details of the inhibitors screened against novel targets of Streptococcus pyogenes. This national facility was instrumental for submission of 589 DNA sequences comprising 507 numbers of 16S rRNA gene sequences, 52 hypervariable V3 region of 16S rRNA gene sequences , 20 ESBL gene sequences, 6 rpoB gene sequences, 2 metagenome derived gene sequences, an ?-amylase gene sequence and complete sequence of a cryptic plasmid pRK10 in GenBank NCBI Database and Sequence Type for 33 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA) in MLST Database (Imperial College, London (Wellcome Trust)).
This National Facility secured first third and third positions (among State and Central Universities at the All India Level in BIF category) for publications of papers in journals of high repute in the area of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology in the year 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively and received incentive awards from DBT, Govt. of India.
A State-of-the-Art Proteomics Facility has been established at the Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University through the liberal funding from University Grants Commission and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. This facility includes, Ettan IPGphor 3 Iso-electric Focusing Unit, Ettan DALTsix Electrophoresis Unit, Sonicating water bath and Shimadzu-AXIMA Performance MALDI TOF-TOF Mass Spectrometer, which enable 1 & 2 Dimensional separation and identification of proteins based on mass. By availing these Facilities, Researchers from the Department of Biotechnology have investigated the regulatory proteins involving in signaling pathways during host-pathogen interaction and also identified the molecular mechanisms behind the action of antibiofilm and antivirulence agents against pathogenic bacteria. The scientific data have been published in highly reputed and internationally recognized journals in the field such as Proteomics (Durai et al., 2014) and Journal of Proteomics (Jebamercy et al., 2016, Vigneshkumar et al., 2016 and Sethupathy et al., 2016) with Impact Factors 4.079 and 3.888 respectively. This cutting edge Proteomic Facility has been identified and cited by Nature India as one of the 76 recognized Proteomic centers in India (Nature India Special Issue Aug 4, 2015). This high end Proteomic Facility is open for the Researchers from other Departments of the University and neighbouring Institutions and Universities.
On the initiatives taken by the IPR Cell, Eight Applications have been filed for Indian Patents during the year 2015 and three more Invention Disclosure Forms are being scrutinized by the authorized Patent Attorney of Alagappa University.
THIRD MEETING OF THE PARENTS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, ALAGAPPA UNIVERSITY, KARAIKUDI 630 003, INDIA HELD ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2016
The Third Meeting of the Parents-Teachers Association of the Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University was conducted on February 12, 2016 in the Seminar Hall of Department of Biotechnology. In deference to the invitation extended to the parents of all the M.Sc., Students and Ph.D. Scholars, 28 parents attended the meeting.
The Meeting was organized with an objective to have a one-to one interaction with the parents, so that the teachers and the parents can exchange their ideas on improving the academic performance of the Wards/Department.
The Meeting had the following agenda
After refreshments, the meeting started at 11.30 AM in the Seminar Hall, with Thamil Thai Vazhthu and Vallal Vazhthu.
In his welcome address, Prof. S. Karutha Pandian, Head of the Department, emphasized the importance of PTA meetings and mentioned that communicating with the parents are more important for any educational Institute, since it is a chance to understand the needs of the parents, to solve problems if any and to set new goals.
With a PowerPoint presentation, Prof. K. Balamurugan presented a report on the Department. He explained about the genesis, funds received, research activities, past and current students’ strength, infrastructure facilities and major achievements of the Department. All the seven academic staff and the two non-teaching staff were introduced to the parents.
Thereafter the parents interacted with the Teachers and enquired about the behavior, attitude and academic performance of their wards. Thereafter they were requested to give their feedback.
Mrs. C. Sathya Bama, Teacher, Panchayat Union Primary School, Arinapatti (Mother of Ms.Precilla, Ist M.Sc. student) expressed that her ward has shown improvements in terms of behavior and attitude after joining in the department. She also suggested to improve the Quality of the food supplied in the Hostel and to build a bus stop shelter in front of the Science Block Campus, for making a comfortable local transit for the students.
Mr. K. Ramamoorthy, Electrical Engineer, Ramani Textile Mills, Coimbatore (Father of Ms. Sriharilakshmi, Ist M.Sc. student) expressed that his ward has gained self confidence and evolved into a person with abilities to explain any concept in a clear manner, after joining in the Department. Suggestion was given to organize campus placements for the students.
Mr. A. B. Kothandaram, Retired Supervisor, Madurai (Father of Ms, Ist M.Sc. student) expressed his appreciation for the initiative taken by the Department in organizing the PTA meet and also mentioned about the satisfactory improvements he has noted in his ward on curricular and co-curricular activities since she joined the Department.
Prof. S. Karutha Pandian, Department of Biotechnology thanked the parents for giving valuable suggestions and assured that their suggestions will be taken into consideration.
The parents were asked to fill up the feedback form with the help of their wards, which were collected and filed for accreditation purpose.
The meeting came to an end at 1.10 PM with the Vote of thanks which was delivered by Dr. A. Veera Ravi, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University.
After the meeting was over, lunch was served to all the parents and the students
The third meeting of the alumni of the Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University was held on 13th February, 2016 at 11.30 AM in the seminar hall, Department of Biotechnology. In deference to the invitation extended to over 400 alumni of the M.Sc., ADMD and Ph.D. Programmes, 34 alumni from various programmes/batches attended the meeting.
Since the alumni meet is a wonderful opportunity for the alumni to come back to the campus and meet their teachers and old friends and to share their experiences with the current students, the meeting was organized in the Department, with the following agenda
After refreshments, the meeting was started at 11.30 AM in the Seminar Hall, traditionally with Thamizh Thai Vazhthu and Vallal Vazhthu.
The alumni were then formally welcomed for the meeting
Dr. S. Karutha Pandian, Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, extended a warm welcome to the Alumni and expressed his happiness in meeting them. He mentioned that Alumni Association is a major determinant of the credibility of a Department and explained the significance of reunion of the alumni in the growth of an academic Department. He also emphasized that the advice given by the successful alumni in such meetings could help their juniors to know about the various career options available.
With a PowerPoint presentation, Prof. K. Balamurugan presented a report on the Department. He explained about the genesis, funds received, research activities, past and current student strength, infrastructure facilities and major achievements of the Department. All the newly appointed academic staff and the non-teaching staff were introduced to the Alumni.
The alumni expressed their happiness in participating in the meet and also expressed their appreciation for the current incomparable infrastructure facility of the Department. They admired the dedication shown by all the Faculty Members in the improvement of the Department and also on the welfare of the students.
Some of the alumni, who are abroad and could not attend the meeting, had sent videos of their feedback, which were played in the meeting.
The following alumni, who attended the meeting, shared their career experience and also the wonderful campus experience they had in the University.
Some of the notable advices given by the alumni to the current students are:
The alumni also promised that they would extend support to the Department and to the current students, in all possible ways. Photos of the past and new campus of the Department were displayed as a video to the alumni, which left the alumni surprised to see the achievements of the Department
To entertain the alumni, a cultural programme was organized by the M.Sc., students of the Department, in which the alumni got involved with full enthusiasm.
The alumni promised that they would come for all the forthcoming Alumni meet also, as they were more proud to be a member of the Alagappa Biotech Family.With this happiness, the meeting came to an end with the Vote of thanks which was proposed by Dr. M. Ramesh, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology.