Department of Biochemistry

Biochemistry was introduced in Lucknow University from the session 1955-56 as one of the subjects for specialization in M.Sc. course in Chemistry. It made a modest beginning by occupying a few rooms in the building of the Chemistry Department in the erstwhile combined Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry of the University. A separate Department of Biochemistry came into existence in August 1963 and it shifted to its present premises in 1966. Generous grants from the University Grants Commission and the Rockefeller Foundation enabled the construction of the building for the Department and the acquisition of essential equipment.

The teaching of Biochemistry started in July 1955 with Dr. Soma Kumar, then lecturer in Organic Chemistry. Subsequently, with the appointment of Dr. P.S. Krishnan as Reader in Biochemistry in 1956, teaching in Biochemistry started in full swing. Dr. G.G. Sanwal joined the faculty in 1957, followed by Dr. K.K. Tewari in 1959. Dr. P.S. Krishnan was promoted to Professor in Biochemistry in the Chemistry Department in 1958. At that time the number of students admitted to M.Sc. I course was only 10 and the staff consisted of only one Professor and two Lecturers. Prof. P.S. Krishnan was appointed Head of the Department of Biochemistry on August 17, 1963. He has been the architect for the creation and establishment of the Department of Biochemistry. His profound scholarship, planning and vision have been mainly responsible for a wide horizon of activities in the Department and its subsequent expansion. After the superannuation of Prof. P.S. Krishnan, Prof. G.G. Sanwal took over as the Head of the Department and continued till 1996. In addition to SAP, he was also able to procure several grants from agencies such as UNESCO and COSIST. Prof. K.C.S. Sanger headed the department from 1996 to 1997. Prof. P.C. Misra took over as the Head of the Department in December 1997 and remained in that position till November 2006. This period was marked by getting financial assistance from Depart of Science and Technology( DST) under its FIST Programme. A separate computer laboratory with internet facility was also established under this support.