16. SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES
The Centre for Advanced Study in Botany, and the Departments of Zoology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology together constitute the School of Life Sciences.
The first Science Department of the University of Madras viz., the Department of Zoology was started in 1927 with Sir. K. Ramunny Menon as the honorary Director. Now, The Department has been supported by University Grants Commission through their SAP, COSIST and X Plan programme and Department of Science & Technology through the FIST – Assistance Programme, in addition to extramural funding for research by various National and International agencies.
The Department teaches and researches in the fields of Cryopreservation of gametes and embryos of penaid prawns, Eye stalk neuropeptides,Control of reproduction in the decapod crustaceans, Molecular aspects of reproduction in the decapod crustaceans, Biochemistry of spermatophores and seminal plasma in Scylla serrata, Biofouling: Environmental impact assessment, Water Quality, Viral diseases of shrimp,Aquaculture of live food organisms, Mass culture of fairy shrimps and brine shrimps, Adaptations of cryptobiotic cysts of fairy shrimps and rotifers, Ultrastructure of fish parasites, Immunobiology of cultivable aquatic invertebrates, Physiology of respiratory pigments, Heavy metal regulation in arthropods, Cell surface glycoproteins, Cancer and free radical Biology etc.
Facilities are available to do research on the biological and biochemical aspects of animals. Sophisticated Instruments of the Department are CM3 Cryomicroscope, Planer Biomed Kryo 10 (Programmable freezer), Revco Freezer, Ultra Centrifuges, Metler Balance, PCR Machine, Standard Liquid Chromatography system, UV Visible Spectrophotometers , Electrophoresis Systems, Gas Liquid Chromatograph, Phase Contrast Microscope, Lyophilizer, HPLC, Gas Chromatography systems, L.S.Counters, ELISA Reader and Osmometer.
The Department has the following research facilities. 1. Tissue culture facility, 2. Insectarium. 3. Circulating sea water system, 4. Interact and Computation facility and 5. Envis – centre facility etc., The consultancy potentials of the Department lie in the areas of Environmental impact assessment, Water Quality, Cryopreservation in Crustacean embryos, Live feed for aquaculture, Health care of marine organisms, Immunology of marine organism and Biochemistry of cancer. The Department offers Master (4 semesters) and Ph. D. Programmes in Zoology. In addition, the Department is also offering three career and job oriented Post Graduate Diploma courses (2 semesters) viz., 1. P.G. Diploma in Molecular Cell Biology and Stem cell Technology, 2. P.G. Diploma in Immunotechnology and 3. P.G. Diploma in Advanced Aquaculture.
The Department of Botany was started in 1929 for generating specialization in the field of Algology. In 1944 the emphasis shifted to Plant Pathology. In 1963 it was chosen for elevation as a Centre for Advanced Study by the University Grants Commission. Algology, Algal Biotechnology, Mycology, Fungal Biotechnology, Molecular Plant Pathology, Environmental Microbiology, Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering are the areas in which teaching and research are carried out by the Department. The Centre is well equipped with modern sophisticated instruments. The Centre's Library has over 12,000 books on Plant Pathology, Microbiology, specialized topics and subscribes to nearly 25 journals of International repute. A large collection of back volumes of journals is a treasure. The Centre maintains one of the largest culture collections in South Asia and about 800 algal, 500 fungal and a few bacterial strains are maintained. The Centre has an excellent field laboratory, situated at Maduravoyal, 10 kilometers away from Madras with all facilities to conduct field trials. The centre has sophisticated equipments like Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Contamination Monitor, Electroporator, Electron Microscope - (Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope), ELISA reader, Environmental Shakers, Fermentors, French Press, Gas Liquid Chromatography, Gel Eluter and Progenetor, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, High Speed Centrifuges, Infra Red Gas Analyser, Liquid Scintillation Counter, Luminometers, Microfuges, Oxygen Monitor, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Unit, Personal computers, Photomicroscope, Scanning densitometer, Spectrofluorimeter, Spectrophotometers, Transilluminator, Ultracentrifuges, Ultramicrotome, Ultrasonicators, Vacuum freezer. The Centre offers consultancy on high technology for organic cultivation of cereals and vegetable crops, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides and biotechnological agents. Special training will be offered on high technologies to Industrialists, Farmers, Scientists and Agriculturists, Mushroom production and mushroom compost, Bio-remediation and Bio - transformation of heavy metal pollution, Tannery effluent, dye factory effluent, Xenobiotics, radio- activity pollution and oil-pollution, Bio-remediation of polluted soils, are some areas in which frequent consultancy takes place. The Department offers Masters, M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes.
The Department of Biochemistry was founded in 1933 with Dr. M. Damodaran,D.Sc (Lon) as its first Director.,just when Biochemistry was a fledgling subject in the world. The Department teaches and researches in the areas of Clinical Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Standardisation of Pharmaceuticals, Nutritional Biochemistry, Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology , Microbial Pathogenesis and Glycobiology.The sophisticated equipments in the Department are: UV Visible double beam Spectrophotometers, Liquid Scintillation Counter, Refrigerated High Speed Centrifuges, Carbon-dioxide incubator, freeze dryer, thermal cycler,Electrophoretic systems,Semi-dry blotting system,ELISA reader,ultrasonicator,inverted microscope,transilluminator and other instruments essential for biochemical investigations, Bioinformatics software like GCG Wisconsin Package, MOE, SchrOdinger Package (Discovery Software Solutions).The Department has a spacious animal house,approved by the CPCSEA .The Department offers consultancy for evaluation of drug efficacy and safety, biochemical investigations for diagnosis, anticancer studies, cardiotonic drugs, respiratory and gastro–intestinal infections, hepatoprotective and antidiabetic activity studies and efficacy of ayurvedic drugs. The Department has been supported byUS PL-480, UGC,DST,ICMR,DRDO for research proposals of its faculty and by DST for the improvement of infrastructure (FIST) . The Department is offering M.Sc ,M.Phil , PhD programmes and a self-supportive M.Sc course in Bioinformatics ( from 2003) .
The Department of Biotechnology was started in 1997. The Department offers Masters in Biotechnology, PG Diploma in Herbal Biotechnology, PG Diploma in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Ph.D. Programmes. The Department is supported by DST –FIST.
Faculty
S. Niranjali Devaraj, PhD Chairperson
Zoology
Dr.M.Arumugam, PhD Professor and Head
Dr.H.Devaraj, PhD Professor
Dr.P.S.Ramanibai, PhD Professor
Dr.N.Munuswamy, PhD Professor
Dr.P.Mullainadhan, PhD Reader
Centre for Advanced Study in Botany
N. Anand, PhD Director and Head
R. Balasubramanian, PhD Professor
R. Rengasamy, PhD Professor
S.Kalaivani alias
J. Muthumary , PhD Professor
P.T. Kalaichelvan, PhD Professor
N. Raman, PhD Professor
K. Murugesan, PhD Professor (on lien as COE)
N. Mohan, PhD Lecturer
P. Ebenezer, PhD Lecturer
V. Kannan, PhD Lecturer
V. Kaviyarasan, PhD Lecturer
K.Periyasamy, PhD Lecturer
N.Mathivanan, PhD Lecturer
P.Palani. Lecturer
Biochemistry
S. Niranjali Devaraj, PhD Professor and Head
T. Devaki, PhD Professor
V.Elangovan,PhD Reader
S. Subramanian, PhD Lecturer
G.Sudhandiram ,PhD Lecturer
A.J.Vanisree,PhD Lecturer
Biotechnology
P. Ramasamy, PhD Professor Head
S.Shyamala, PhD Reader
K. Uma Maheswari Lecturer
G. Vijayan Siva, PhD Lecturer
K.Kathiravan Lecturer
M.Sc ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY
CourseCode / Title of the course / C/E/S / Credits / Course DirectorL / T / P / C
SEMESTER I
LIF C001 / Techniques in Biochemistry / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / GS
LIF C002 / Chemistry of Biomolecules / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / VE & AJV
LIF C003 / Clinical Biochemistry / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / TD & AJV
LIF C004 / Lab Course in Biochemical Techniques / C / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2 / SND
LIF C005 / Lab Course in Clinical Biochemistry / C / 2 / 0 / 0 / 2 / AJV
LIF E001 / Human Physiology / E / 3 / 0 / 0 / 3 / GS & AJV
LIF E002 / Experimental Induction and Diagnosis
of Diseases /
E / 3 / 0 / 0 / 3 / SS
UOM S001 / Soft Skill / S / 2
SEMESTER II
LIF C006 / Immunology / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / SS & GS
LIF C007 / Metabolic Regulation / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / TD & AJV
LIF C008 / Molecular Biology of the Gene / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / SND & VE
LIF C009 / Lab course in Molecular Biology / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / SND
LIF E003 / Enzymology / E / 3 / 0 / 0 / 3 / SND
LIF E004 / Metabolic Disorders / E / 3 / 0 / 0 / 3 / TD
UOM S002 / Soft Skill / S / 2
SEMESTER III
LIF C010 / Eukaryotic Gene Expression / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / SND
LIF C011 / Immunology II / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / SS
LIF C012 / Microbial Approaches to Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biochemistry / C / 2 / 0 / 0 / 2 / GS & AJV
LIF C013 / Hormonal Biochemistry / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / TD
LIF C014 / Lab Course in Microbiology / C / 2 / 0 / 0 / 2 / GS
LIF E 005 / Basics of Gene Therapy / E / 3 / 0 / 0 / 3 / SND
UOM S003 / Soft Skill / S / 2
UOM I001 / Internship / S / 2
SEMESTER IV
LIF C015 / Recombinant DNA Technology / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / SND,GS,AJV
LIF C016 / Signal Transduction / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / VE
LIF C017 / Project & Viva / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / All faculty
LIF E013 / Introduction to Bioinformatics / E / 3 / 0 / 0 / 3 / TRF
UOM S004 / Soft Skill / S / 2
SND: S.Niranjali Devaraj; TD:T.Devaki; VE:V.Elangovan; SS: S.Subaramanian; GS: G.Sudhandiran
AJV:A.J.Vanishree
SEMESTER I
LIF C001 / Biochemical Techniques / C / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4 / G.SudhandiranElectrophoresis, Chromatography & Ultracentrifugation techniques-principle, instrumentation,
procedure and applications, Microscopy, Spectroscopic and Mass spectrometric techniques;
Principle and applications of tracer techniques –Counters,Blotting techniques ,Plant tissue culture,
animal cell culture, protein purification techniques
LIF C002 / Chemistry of Biomolecules / C / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4 / V.Elangovan & A.J.VanisreeMacromolecules & their monomeric subunits -3 dimensional structures of proteins, Ramachandran plot,
Structure of collagen, keratin. Complementary interactions between proteins & ligands. Actin, myosin &
molecular motors, Polysaccharides – structure of starch, glycogen, cellulose & chitin glycoconjugates –
proteoglycans, glycoproteins & glycolipids. Structure of DNA, A form, B form of DNA, Z DNA, bent
DNA, structure of different RNAs, Topologyof DNA ,Structure of storage lipids, structural lipids in
membranes, glycero lipids, sphingolipids & phospholipids & eicosanoids (thromboxanes, Leukotrienes &
prostaglandins)
LIF C003 / Clinical Biochemistry / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / T.Devaki & A.J.VanisreePlasma proteins and their variation in diseases Clinical Enzymology and Inborn errors of metabolism.
Haemopoiesis and disorders of haemopoiesis, Plasma lipids and lipoprotein changes in various diseases.
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis. Diseases of the bone, Clinical manifestations and biochemical changes
in liver diseases, Renal and liver function tests,Clinical Enzymology and Inborn errors of Metabolism
LIF C004 / Lab course in Biochemical Techniques / C / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2 / S. Niranjali DevarajIsolation, Purification and Kinetics of Alkaline phosphatase; Checking purity, isoenzyme separation,
effect of activatorsand inhibitors,fractionation of Subcellular organelles and Assay of marker enzymes
LIF C005 / Lab course in Clinical Biochemistry / C / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2 / A. J. VanisreeCollection and preservation of blood and urine; Blood analysis, Assay of marker enzymes, Qualitative
and quantitative analysis of urine, electrophoresis of serum proteins, LDH isozyme separation
SEMESTER II
LIF C006 / Immunology – I / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / S. Subramanian &G.SudhandiranIntroduction and Definition;Lymphoid Organs;Cells of the immune system;Antigen recognition,Processing and Presentation,Antigens; Antibody- Basic structure of immunoglobulins , Generation of antibody diversity by gene rearrangement and class switching. Antigen - Antibody Reactions; tumor immunology, Cancer immunotherapy – Immunodiagnosis of tumors – Cancer vaccines.
LIF C007 / Metabolic Regulation / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / T. Devaki & A.J.VanishreeMetabolic flux; Glycolysis & Gluconeogenesis; Glycogen Metabolism and it’s regulation; Electron Transport Chain;Fatty acid metabolism and its regulation,Control of cholesterol biosynthesis, Nitrogen Metabolism;. Heme Metabolism; Integration of metabolism
LIF C008 / Molecular Biology of the Gene / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / S. Niranjali Devaraj;V.ElangovanDNA replication and repair; eukaryotic repair systems, Prokaryotic gene expression transcription initiation,Termination, Regulation of prokaryotic gene expression; lac and trp operons,initiation,elongation and termination of translation, suppression control of lytic development in λ phage, Recombination and mobile genetic elements; Cell cycle and growth regulation-molecular basis,apoptosis.
LIF C009 / Lab course in Molecular Biology / C / 0 / 0 / 4 / 4 / S.Niranjali DevarajIsolation of plasmid DNA; Genomic DNA extraction; Restriction analysis;; Preparation of competent
E. coli,Transformation, PCR; blotting techniques; Southern blot and hybridization,
Basic BLAST search, Sequence analysis using computer software
SEMESTER III
LIF C010 / Eukaryotic gene expression / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / S. Niranjali DevarajThe eukaryotic genome; nucleosome organization and remodelling,organelle genomes, Eukaryotic transcription; regulation of eukaryotic transcription, RNA processing;ribozymes,transfer of mRNA, RNA interference, Post-and Co-translational modification of proteins; protein translocation ,protein degradation and protein folding, Oncogenes and cancer-
Molecular Mechanisms
LIF C011 / Immunology – II / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / S. SubramanianComplement; complement activation pathways,Hypersensitivity; Auto immune Disease; Transplantation; prevention of graft rejection,Immunological Techniques-RIA,ELISA,Immunohistochemistry;production of monoclonal antibodies and their applications Immunity and Malnutrition; Immunization-DNA vaccines
LIF C012 / Microbial Approaches to Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biochemistry / C / 4 / 0 / 0 / 4 / A.J.Vanishree & G.SudhandiranStructure of bacteria, fungi and viruses and their classification; Microbial fermentation principles, applicatons, Design and operation of fermentors ,sterilization methods, recovery and estimation of products,tests for water purity,Microbial degradation of products of aerobic and anaerobic growth; production of pharmaceuticals, Manufacture of bread, malt beverages, wine, vinegar, pickle, cheese and idli, pressed food and fodder yeast
LIF C013 / Hormonal Biochemistry / C / 0 / 0 / 4 / 4 / T.DevakiHormones – Classification, biosynthesis,Mechanism of hormone action,hormones of hypothalamus and pituitary, release factors,Pancreatic hormones,Thyroid hormones, Adrenal hormones, Gonadal Hormones-biosynthesis,transport,biological action,regulation of pathways.