Ph.D. (Biotechnology)

Ph.D. (Biotechnology)

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi was one of the first six Universities in India to initiate a Postgraduate teaching and research programme in the field of Biotechnology in 1985. Since 1985, it was running as the Special Centre for Biotechnology (CBT) under the joint sponsorship of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. To begin with, it was started to initiate Biotechnology education programme with an impetus to generate a workforce that could turn into a substantially trained pool to meet the country's demands. Considering the growth of Biotechnology at an international level, its applications in general spheres of life and the significant contributions made by the faculty of the Centre for Biotechnology, the Executive Council of JNU resolved to elevate the status of the Special Centre for Biotechnology to that of a School of Biotechnology (SBT) in 2006. Over the years, Biotechnology programme at JNU has established itself as a leading academic programme both from the teaching and research point of view. The faculty of the School is internationally recognized for their contribution to basic and applied aspects of Biotechnology research.

The competitive and vibrant Ph.D. programme in basic and applied biotechnology embarks on creating a strong academic research foundation in the following cutting-edge areas of Biotechnology:

• Molecular biology and Genetic engineering
• Molecular biology of infectious diseases
• Immunology
• Protein Engineering, Protein stability, conformation and folding
• Biochemical engineering, optimization of recombinant protein production and Metabolic Engineering
• Transcription control and gene regulation in prokaryotic and mammalian systems
• Structural biology and bioinformatics
• Molecular basis of human viral diseases
• Molecular Cell biology
• Cancer cell biology: Diagnostics and vaccines

The students secure admission to the Ph.D. program of the School after qualifying an All-India entrance examination and viva-voce. Students having qualified for Junior Research Fellowship of UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR are shortlisted directly for interview. Students having 2 years of post M.Sc. research experience/M.Phil degree with publications are considered for direct admission after qualifying in an interview. The total number of students presently registered in the Ph.D. program is 40. There are currently 11 faculty members in the School of Biotechnology. The mission of our multi- and inter-disciplinary doctoral programme is to train outstanding students in basic and applied research. Students have numerous opportunities to pursue active research projects and gain experience working with state-of-the-art instrumentation. This experience is invaluable for the intellectual development of the students and in their subsequent search for faculty and scientist positions in the Universities, Research Institutes and the Biotechnology industry both in India and abroad.

Extramural Research Funding
The faculty members have continuously been able to attract extramural funding from different scientific agencies and biotechnology industry for running various research projects. This has also contributed immensely in building up adequate infrastructure for advanced research.

Pre-Ph.D. course curriculum:

The students admitted to the pre-Ph.D. programme are required to take 14 credits during the first year of the programme. While Bioinformatics, Research Methodology courses and Journal Club presentations are compulsory, the students have option to select any two of the discussion courses listed below:

Course No.

Course Title

Credit

1st Semester (Monsoon Semester)

BT 602-608

Advanced Discussion Course*

3x2 = 6

BIC 601

Bioinformatics I

3

BT 609

Journal Club I

1

Total No. of credits

10

2nd Semester (Winter Semester)

BT 610

Journal Club II

1

BT 611

Research Methodology

3

Total No. of credits

4

* List of Advanced Discussion Courses:
The students have to opt for any two of the following:
Course No.

Course Title

Credits

BT 602

Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases

3

BT 603

Computational and Structural Biology

3

BT 604

Gene Expression

3

BT 605

Protein Stability and Folding

3

BT 606

Advanced Immunology

3

BT 607

Optimization of Recombinant Protein Expression

3

BT 608

Recent Advances in Oncogene Research