Department of Bio-Chemistry:
The K. G. Naik Memorial Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, has a rich legacy of over seven decades in postgraduate education and research. Established in 1955 through the initiative of Dr. K. G. Naik, the Department began as a part of the Department of Chemistry. Under the leadership of its founding Head, Prof. C. V. Ramakrishnan, it gradually developed into a prominent centre for postgraduate teaching and research in Biochemistry and Nutrition.
Over the decades, the Department has kept pace with the advances in life sciences, while maintaining a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and scientific training. Its academic programmes aim to provide students with a sound understanding of Biochemistry and allied disciplines, and equip them with practical skills and problem-solving abilities required for building careers in research, academia, healthcare and biotechnology industries.
The Department offers M.Sc. programmes in Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, along with a Ph.D. programme in Biochemistry. The postgraduate programmes integrate classroom teaching, practical training, seminars and dissertation work. The students get an opportunity to experience the process of scientific investigation and develop skills in experimental design, data analysis and scientific communication through dissertation work in their final semester of MSc.
Research is central to the Department's academic environment. With around 30 research scholars, the Department conducts research across diverse and emerging areas of modern Biochemistry. Its research portfolio encompasses structural biology and protein engineering, ubiquitin–proteasome biology and targeted protein degradation, biosensors and nanobiotechnology, metabolic and mitochondrial biology, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, plant biology and phytoremediation, reproductive biology and nutrition, metabolic engineering, microbial biotechnology, antimicrobial resistance, diabetes and obesity, molecular diagnostics, herbal and phytopharmaceutical research. These areas continue to evolve with emerging scientific questions and interdisciplinary opportunities.
Research in the Department attracts extramural funds from reputed funding agencies including DBT, DST, UGC, CSIR, SERB, ICMR, BRNS, GSBTM, GUJCOST, UGC-DAE and NRDC. It also maintains collaborations with scientists and research groups in India and abroad. The research environment in the department is supported by dedicated laboratories and specialized instruments including Digital Droplet PCR, fluorescence microscopy, multimode readers, HPLC, cell culture, UV-visible and fluorescence spectrophotometry, lyophilization and 2D-PAGE, along with a well-equipped Animal House facility.
A distinctive feature of the Department is its tradition of promoting scientific interaction through prestigious lecture series, scientific conferences, visiting scientist talks and seminars. The Prof. C. V. Ramakrishnan Lecture Series, Prof. L. J. Parekh Memorial Lecture Series and Prof. S. D.
Telang Memorial Lecture Series have brought eminent scientists from leading national and international institutions to the Department. The distinguished speakers who have delivered lectures on various occasions include, Nobel Laureates Dr. Ada Yonath and Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan, and eminent scientists from Yale University, Harvard Medical School, IISc, IISERs, NCBS, Baylor College of Medicine and other leading institutions.
The Department has also built a strong tradition of organizing national and international scientific meetings. The Platinum Jubilee of the Department in December 2024, celebrated alongside the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Biological Chemists (India) and the International Conference “Biochemistry: Ongoing Explorations of Actions and Reactions of Life,” which featured Nobel Laureate Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan among its speakers is a landmark event.
With its long academic heritage, evolving research programmes, dedicated faculty, specialized infrastructure and vibrant scientific environment, the Department of Biochemistry continues to foster knowledge, innovation and scientific excellence, while preparing the next generation of researchers and professionals in Biochemistry and allied branches.
The department has a registered alumni association. Its members contribute towards upward mobility of current students and also donate generously towards academic and infrastructure needs.
Leading industries like Dr. Reddy's, Biocon, Sun Pharma, Intas, Zydys, Meril etc come for campus placement interviews.