Department of Biochemistry

Biochemistry was introduced as a unit of the Department of Biology in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in 1973. The staff position in the unit was one Assistant Professor and one Instructor and was accommodated in a single room in the PG Block. The main objectives were teaching and research in agriculture. Since September 1, 1975 the unit was made into a full-fledged department with Dr.D.Raj as Professor and Head of the department of Biochemistry.

Courses Offered :

=> B.Sc (Agriculture)
=> B.Sc (Sericulture)
=> B.Sc (Forestry)
=> B.Tech (Biotechnology)
=> B.Tech (Bioinformatics)
=> B.Tech (Food Process Engineering)
=> M.Tech (Food Process Engineering)
=> M.Tech (FPE and Marketing)

Research :

The ongoing research is in the field of medicinal biochemistry – Bioprospecting for anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobials and other pharmacologically active compounds from biological sources.

Achievements :

=> An antiviral protein from Bougainvillea spectabilis was characterized and sequenced.
=> Two cDNAs encoding antiviral proteins from B.spectabilis have been cloned and characterized.
=> Identified molecular markers linked to leaffolder resistance trait in rice.
=> Developed method for patulin (Mycotoxin) identification in food stuff.
=> A technology to preserve the sugarcane juice in bottles up to six months was developed.
=> Biochemical parameters to identify rice varieties suitable for cooking, flattened and puffed rice were identified.
=> An α-amylase inhibitor from samai (Panicum sumatrens) and a cysteine proteinase inhibitor from jackfruit seed (Artocarpusheterophyllus) were characterized and sequenced.
=> Protein, carbohydrate, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre in important small millets were characterized.
=> Purified and characterized a low molecular weight water-soluble protein from mungbean (Vigna radiata) seeds.

Facilities :

A separate biochemistry laboratory is available for conducting classes to undergraduates and postgraduates with all facilities.

Department of Biochemistry
Centre for Plant Molecular Biology
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore
Tamil Nadu
India

Phone : +91 - 422 - 6611263

Fax : +91 - 422 - 6611672

Email: [email protected]

Other Departments at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

• Department of Agricultural Economics
• Department of Agricultural Entomology
• Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology
• Department of Agricultural Microbiology
• Department of Agriculture and Rural Management
• Department of Agroclimate Research Center
• Department of Agronomy
• Department of Animal Husbandry
• Department of Biochemistry
• Department of Cotton
• Department of Crop Physiology
• Department of Environmental Science
• Department of Farm Management
• Department of Forage Crops
• Department of Millets
• Department of Nanoscience and Technology
• Department of Nematology
• Department of Oilseeds
• Department of Plant Biotechnology
• Department of Plant Genetic Resources
• Department of Plant Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics (DPMB&B)
• Department of Plant Pathology
• Department of Pulses
• Department of Remote Sensing and GIS
• Department of Rice
• Department of Sericulture
• Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
• Department of Sustainable Organic Agriculture