Department of Biotechnology
About the Department
RVCE established the Biotechnology department in 2002-2003, affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) with adequate support from the R.S.S.T. The Department is accredited for 5 years by National Board of Accreditation (2008-13), infrastructure facilities of the department are spread over 2044 Sq Meters with well equipped laboratories, lecture halls and departmental library. It also has an air conditioned seminar hall accommodating 120 persons with multi media facilities. The department library is well stocked with reference books, text books and journals.
Mission
To impart quality education in Biotechnology, consistent with the State, National and International trends, needs and priorities. To promote creative education, research and innovation in biotechnology for the development of sustainable and inclusive technology for the benefit of society and environment.
Vision
• To emerge as a leader in providing excellent education in biotechnology.
• Continue to upgrade the infrastructure as per the development in the field and come up as center of excellence in the coming years.
• To meet the human resource need of industry as well as to come up as entreuprener both nationally and internationally in Biotechnology and allied fields.
• To inculcate the five ethos- culture of excellence, culture of innovation, culture of quality, culture of flexibility and culture of sustainability.
• To establish strategic alliances with different centers of excellence nationally and internationally; to provide continued access to students to recent developments in the field.
• To promote a sustained drive to upgrade knowledge of faculty by providing opportunities for undertaking research and training at leading research centers in India and abroad so as to enable them in rapid adoption of technology, research, teaching, and training methods.
• To provide self employment for weaker section of society by developing skills for employability.
Academic Programs:
Courses offered:
• B.E. in Biotechnology
• M.Sc. (Engg.) by research
• Ph. D. program
• Department has started a new course M.Tech in Biotechnology from academic year 2011-12 under VTU. The total intake of students is 18.
The department has well qualified and experienced staff specialized in various disciplines of Biotechnology. There are a total of 20 faculties. Twelve of them possess Ph. D degree and eight possess masters from reputed institutions and universities. 7 of them are pursuing PhD from different Universities. The staff to student ratio is 1:13. The department is rated as top FOUR Biotechnology Schools in India and as FIRST in infrastructure by the survey made by leading Biotechnology magazine "BioSpectrum", 2010.
The department is recognized as research centre from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, Mangalore University, Kuvempu University and Tumkur University. The department has MoU with Agricultural University, GKVK, Bangalore and Women's University, Bijapur. The department has collaborative project with BHEL, Catalyz, Institute of Computational Biology, Bangalore, e-Parisara. Various funded projects from Government and industries are sanctioned to faculty members to carryout research.
The academic courses offered for students of undergaduation are are conglomeration of engineering sciences, core sciences, basic sciences, humanities and subjects related to immunotechnology, upstream downstream processing, plant tissue culture, biopharmaceuticals, agricultural biotechnology, microbial biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, forensic sciences etc. along with fully modified well equipped laboratories which are in parallel and competent with present industrial need and demand.
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Infrastructure / Facilities
Laboratory |
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Biochenistry/Cell & Molecular Biology Lab / Enzyme Technology and Biokinetics lab ( Area = 112 sq.m). . |
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Bioprocess Control and Instrumentation / Down Stream Processing + Research Lab HETP (Area = 207 sq.m).
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Plant tissue culture research laboratory (Area = 112 sq.m).
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Bioinformatics Laboratory (Area = 112 sq.m).
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Events & Seminars
The department has organized an AICTE sponsored short term faculty development training programme on "Downstream Processing" from 12-16 March 2007
National conferences organized by the Department are:
• One day national conference in HELIX, 2009
• One day national conference in Computational Biology , 2007
• Recent Trends and future perspective in Nanobiotechnology, 2006
• Recent trends in Biomedical Instrumentation, 2005
• Recent trends in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, 2005
• Biodiversity and Bioactive compounds, 2006
Seminars organized by the Department are:
• Dr. Roger Morris, Prof of Molecular Neurobiology and Head of School of Biomedical Sciences on "Biotechnology and Biomedical studies", 2 December 2011.
• Mrs. Pushkala Jayaraman, Bioinformatics programmer/analyst - RGD at Medical College of Wisconsin - Medical College of Wisconsin and former student of department on "Computational Genomics", 14 October 2011.
• Dr.T.M.Manjunath, Consultant-Agribiotechnology & IPM, DBT, New Delhi and former Director Monsanto Research Center, Bangalore on "Agriculture Biotechnology: From Green Revolution to Gene Revolution", 12 October, 2011
• Dr Naresh Singhal, Associate Prof., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auckland, New Zealand on "Nitrogen removal by biological nutrient process" , 11 March 2011 at RVCE
• Dr Bhanu Prakash, CEO Probyosis, on "Real machines demands real training", 2 December 2010
• Dr Anand, CEO, ilife science, on "Growing opportunity in biotechnology field", 20 October, 2010
• Dr Bharathan, Prof., Indiana University, US on "New upcoming courses and modern equipment description", 8 October 2010.
• Dr.Sukumar Roy, CEO, BHEL, Bangalore, on " Nanotechnology", 8 June 2010
• Ms Monisha Hajra, Institute of Computational Biology,Bangalore on Insilico drug design, 24 August 2009
• Mr.Roop Singh Y.R., General Manager, Sinsil International, Bangalore on "Nanolab Instrumentation" , 25 June 2009
• Lecture on "Introduction to hydroponics" by Dr. Sangeetha, Institute of Simplified Hydroponics, Bangalore, 21 March 2009
• Dr R.Souwdamini,Prof., NCBS, Bangalore on "Protein modeling", 19 October 2008
Workshops organized by the Department are:
• E-waste recycling and management, 2010
• Bioinstrumentation, 2009
• Vermiculture technique for recycling solid waste to organic manure, 2008
Proficiency courses organized by department are:
Three proficiency courses were organized for the benefit of students by the department. "Insilico drug design" (Aug 24 to Sept 4 2009) in collaboration with Institute of Computational Biology, Bangalore. "Nanotechnology"(14-19 June, 2010) in collaboration with Catalyz June 2010. "Animal Cell Culture" (1-7 June, 2011) in collaboration with OCT Octotherapies, Mumbai.
| National conferences organized by the Department | |
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Dr NareshSinghal, Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auckland, New Zealanddelivered seminar on “Nitrogen removal by biological nutrient process”, 11 March 2011 at RVCE |
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Dr BhanuPrakash,CEOProbiosis, Bangalore delivering a seminar on “Real Machines demands real training”, 2 December, 2010 |
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Achievements
Highlights of faculty's achievement:
• Many faculty members are Life member of Indian Society for Technical Education (LMISTE), International Society of Biotechnology, National Science Congress (NSC), Society of Biological Chemist's of India (SBC) and Association of Microbiologist's of India (AMI).
• The faculty members have published more than 100 research papers in national and international journals and have presented more than 100 papers in National/ International Conferences
• Granted four national and three international patents
• Six books have been published by leading national publishers and one of them being an international edition.
• Editorial board member Research Journal of Biotechnology and TJC Journal, Journal of Biotechnology, BIOZONE: International Journal of Life Science
• Awarded fellow member - Journal of Environmental Research and Development and from International Society of Biotechnology.
• Director of Centre for Nano Sciences, RVCE
• Director, Centre for Gandhian principles and Value Based Education, RVCE
• Chairman, ISTE RVCE Chapter
• Chairperson, Sexual Harassment committee, RVCE
• Chairperson, Board of Studies – B.E. Biotechnology, Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum.
• Chairperson Board of Examination – B.E. Biotechnology, RVCE Autonomous
• Expert Lecture in VTU edusat program and member of VTU Institute of Advanced studies (VIAT)
• Two faculties were awarded Ph.D in Biotechnology in the year 2009 and 2010 respectively
• One faculty has completed Diploma in Nanotechnology and other is pursuing MPhil. And MCA (distance education)
• Faculty has been honoured with Professor A.R.Rao Memorial Young Research Scientist Award at International Conference on Recent Advances in Cancer Research organized by School of life science, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar on Feb 19-20, 2011
• Have prganized conferences/seminars/workshops at college and outside college has delivered lecture as a resource person "Tools and Techniques in Bioinformatics and Chemoinformatics", a one day workshop organized by Department of Biotechnology, Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science, Anantapur, AP on 15/10/2011.
Highlights of student's achievement
• The students of 2011 graduating batch (first autonomous batch) were awarded 6 ranks. The students of 2010 graduating batch secured a Gold medal and 3 University ranks(1, 3 and 9 ranks) from VTU. The students of 2009 graduating batch secured 2 University ranks from VTU (3 and 7 rank).
• About 40% of the students appear and qualify for the competitive exams like GATE/GRE/CAT/GMAT etc.
• BIOSKEN students forum organizes various technical and cultural events under the banner HELIX which attracts students participation in large number
• Weekly Wall magazine (Cell Wall) brings out latest innovative News in the field of Biotechnology
• Annual Research Newsletter brings up research articles from the faculty and students
• About 70% of the students carry out the industry collaborative and sponsored project work every year.
• Final year students (VIII sem) of 2006-10 VTU batch won have won the first prize and the best project award funded by KSCST.
• Final year (2003-07 batch) project awarded 2nd prize at RVCE
• Presented papers at national and international conferences. Received best paper award at international conference at PESIT and RVCE and at National conference Dhanbad.
• Won various prizes for Basket Ball at University and college level.
• Participated in international debate competition at Oxford and Cambridge as well as at national level
• Participated and won prizes at VTU cultural fest, various colleges and IIT Madras
Research Initiatives
The principal areas of research are Renewable energy, Hydrogen economy, Membrane based separation techniques, Conversion of coal and wastes to liquid fuels, Plant tissue culture, Molecular biology, Genetic engineering and nano-particles based purification of proteins.The Department has completed 6 projects from various funding agencies and has 8 ongoing projects. For details read…
Completed Projects
Sl. No. |
Name of funded project |
Principal & Co- Investigator |
Sanctioned amount and Year |
Funding Agency |
1 |
Microbial generation of H2 from bagasse and other Biomass “Hydrogen Economy Technology Program (HETP)” |
Dr. Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
30 lakhs out of 2 crores |
DST (Dept. of Science and Technology, Govt. of India), TIFAC |
2 |
Application of ceramic membrane for separation and purification process techniques.
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Dr. Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
2 Lakhs |
BHEL / SVE/ Mechtrix Engineers |
3 |
Ridhi Sidhi Gluco Biols (L) |
Dr. Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
2005 |
Honorary |
4 |
Water testing of Bangalore Lakes |
Dr. Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
2006-07 |
BWSSB, 2006-2007 in collaboration with Dept. of Civil Engineering, RVCE |
5 |
Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water. |
Dr. Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
Rs. 5000, 2007 |
KSCST |
6 |
Regeneration and agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation in Bacoppa monnerri L. |
Dr. Nagashree N Rao |
Rs 7000, |
KSCST |
Ongoing projects
Sl. No. |
Name of funded project |
Principal & Co- Investigator |
Sanctioned Amount & Year |
Funding Agency |
1 |
Biological control of Red Rot disease of Sugarcane” |
Dr Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
10.23 Lakhs |
DBT, Govt. of India |
2 |
Biological production of clean fuels from coal |
Dr Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
47.24 Lakhs
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CMPDI, Ranchi |
3 |
Regeneration, Transformation and Elicitation studies in Capsicum” |
Dr Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
10.13 Lakhs |
Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum |
4 |
Haploid plant regeneration from anther and microspore cultures of cotton (Gossyupium hirsutum L) |
Dr H. G. Ashok Kumar (PI) |
10.02 Lakhs
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Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum |
5 |
Crop improvement of ginger (Zingerber officinale) |
Dr Neeta shivakumar (PI) |
11.22 Lakhs |
Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum |
6 |
Exploitation of Commercial Silk Waste As Potential Nanobiomaterials |
Dr Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
34 Lakhs
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Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India |
7 |
Formulation of gold/silver nanoconjugates/encapsulates with novel bioactive synthetic 1H-Pyrazol-2methoxyphenol derivatives as anti cancer therapeutics |
Dr Raju (PI) |
8.66 Lakhs |
University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi |
8 |
Development of novel anti-fouling agents for use in marine structures
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Dr Pushpa Agrawal (PI) |
14.74 Lakhs |
Naval Research Board(NRB) |
9 |
Novel approach for Bioremediation of Marine Oil Spills |
Dr Pushpa Agrawal (Co-PI) |
14 Lakhs, |
Naval Research Board(NRB) |
Industry Interface
The following collaborative project between Industry and Department of Biotechnology, R.V.C.E. has been completed:
- Ridhi Sidhi Gluco Biols (L), Starch from Maize
- Fabrication of Nanomaterial for protein purification applications, BHEL
- In silico drug design, Institute of Computational Biology
- Staff and students have been undergoing training and taking up collaborative projects at the leading industries and institutions related to the fields such as Waters India Ltd, BIOCON India Ltd, NIMHANS, KIDWAI Cancer Institute, K.C. Das, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, IISc., Indian Veterinary Research Institute.
Co-Curricular Activities and Extra-curricular activities
Co-Curricular Activities and Extra-curricular activities
The Student's forum "BIOSKEN" conducts various techno cultural activities every year. The various events taking place are:
• Paper presentation competition
• Quiz competition
• Project competition
• Technical college competition
• Online quiz competition
• Technical paper writing competition etc.
• In Helix 2011,Walkathon was organized on October 2011 ufrom Corporation to Cubbon Park with the theme "Environmental Protection" and in this event students and teachers participated.Eco club has been inagurated on 21-10-2011 having the theme "Planting the saplings, Maintainance of clean environment and Environmental awareness for society".
• In Helix-2009 an event "GO GREEN" campaign was organized that involved various activities like field interactive session with public (outside campus), screening documentaries, an artificial tree "Kalpavriksha", a flex board to write message on extensive ecological damage, staging street plays, cleanliness drive throughout the campus for segregated waste disposal, planting the sapling to form "Sanjeevani Van" having ecofriendly and medicinal plants, tree hugging event signifying their importance on campus.
Placements
The companies that recruit students from campus are KPTCL, CERNER, CTS, WIPRO, ACCENTURE, INFOSYS, TCS, ORACLE, PHILIPS, KPMG. The average salary drawn by a student is Rs. 3.5 lakhs.
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* Recruitment and selection process is still on |