Welcome to Department of Biochemistry

Biochemistry: Scope and opportunities

 Biochemistry is a branch of science which deals with the chemistry of living organisms and that of their biological processes. A degree in Biochemistry provides a very broad range of career options and possibilities in research, medicine, and industry. A Biochemistry degree is excellent preparation for entry into research in academic and industrial lab environments. Tremendous career options exist within the biotech industry in the areas of drug design, product development, technical support etc. Training in biochemistry can be used for careers in providing diagnostic services, genetic counselling, forensic sciences, biomedical, engineering, medical lab/imaging sciences. Apart from carrying out R&D work and developing new products, Biochemists are integral part of the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and food industry, involved in monitoring the production, quality and safety of the products. A postgraduate degree in Biochemistry also provides opportunity for advanced teaching in universities, colleges, medical, dental and veterinary schools, and consulting or allied work.

The Department of Biochemistry conducts UG, PG and PhD programmes. The faculty is highly accomplished and is involved in cutting edge research in the field of biological sciences.

Courses Offered

1. BSc-MSc Integrated Programme (Biochemistry)

Duration: Five years (Ten semesters)

Eligibility: A candidate seeking admission to the BSc-MSc Integrated program must have passed Senior Secondary (12th/Intermediate) examination with Biology/Mathematics from CBSE or any other Board recognized by JH as equivalent thereto, securing at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in aggregate.

Selection procedure: Selection will be made purely based on the marks obtained in qualifying examination.

The student will have exit option after sixth semester. In such cases the candidate will be awarded B.Sc. (Honours) degree in Biochemistry.

2. MSc Biochemistry

Duration: Two years (Four semesters)

Eligibility: Passed B.Sc. in Biochemistry or equivalent examination in Biological Sciences with Biochemistry or Chemistry as one of the subjects securing at least 50% marks in aggregate.

Selection procedure: Selection for PG programs will be based on the merit in the qualifying examination. Qualifying exam will mean average of three years marks of B.Sc. programme. In case where final year exam result is not out, the average of last two years marks will be counted for provisional selection of candidates.

3. PhD Biochemistry

PhD programme shall be for minimum duration of three years, including course work and ideally 5 years subject to maximum of six years as per the Jamia Hamdard PhD byelaws.

Eligibility and selection procedure: Candidates shall have a Master’s Degree or a professional degree declared equivalent to Master’s degree by the corresponding statutory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent Grade ‘B’ in the UGC 7-point scale. NET-JRF/Individual Fellowship holders/Project Fellows will be preferred for admissions in Ph.D. programs.

Thrust areas

1. 1.    Biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Ribonucleases in human health and disease; Targeted therapy of cancer (Prof. Janendra K. Batra)

1. 2.    Chronic diseases; Innate immunity; Tissue injury, Regeneration and repair (Prof. Shakir Ali)

1. 3.    Alzheimer’s disease; Traditional medicines (Prof. Alagiri Srinivasan)

1. 4.    Chemical carcinogenesis; DNA damage; Nutrigenomics (Dr. Rana Zaidi)

1. 5.    Natural antioxidants in diabetic complications (Dr. Waseem Ahmad Siddiqui)

1. 6.    Immunomodulation (Dr. Farah Khan)

1. 7.    Alternative Splicing; Obesity and Diabetes;  Bioinformatics (Dr. Sayeed ur Rehman)

1. 8.    Metabolism; Proteomics; Heavy metal toxicity using Sacharomyces cerevisiae, Mice and In vitro models (Dr. Mohan Kamthan)

1. 9.    Host-pathogen interactions; Innate immunity; Computational biology (Dr. Vikas Sood)