Biotechnology
Overview
The Department of Biotechnology which was started in the year 2006 and offers Under Graduate Program (B.E.), with an intake of 30 students under Visvesvarya Technological University (VTU). The Department is also a recognised centre for Masters of Science in Engineering (MSc Engg) program and a VTU-recognised Ph.D. centre. The Department offers a strong academic and research foundation with focused strengths in Upstream & Downstream processing technology, OMICS, and Biopharmaceuticals. These thrust areas are currently aligned with current global trends and national priorities in industrial biotechnology, healthcare, pre-clinical studies, IT services, and life sciences. The Department has established the state-of-art facilities in Bioinformatics and Fermentation Technology domains supported by Karnataka Information Technology and Biotechnology Services (KBITs) Government of Karnataka. The Department of Biotechnology successfully completed the national level Biotechnology Finishing School (BTFS, 2011- 2016) and Biotechnology Skill Enhancement Programme (BiSEP, 2017-2022) with Diploma certificate under KBITs and DBT (Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi). To further strengthen the industrial collaboration, the Department has established the MOUs with companies such as Bionivid Pvt Ltd, Quantumzyme Pvt Ltd, Insilicomics Pvt Ltd, Cutis hospital, Biostica Pvt Ltd, and Shankara Netralaya and others.
The Department is supported by a team of qualified, experienced, and research-oriented faculty members who actively contribute through publications, consultancies, and industry-academia collaborations. Moreover, all the faculties have obtained Ph.D., degrees and are VTU qualified Ph.D. research guides. Students are effectively trained and have participated in research projects, internships, industrial training, and innovation-driven activities, fostering critical thinking and professional competence. Further, the Department was recognized as a Research Centre in the year 2011 by VTU for the students who would like to pursue their higher studies. The Department is highly proactive in securing extramural research funding from premier government funding agencies such as the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Govt of India, and Vision Group on Science and Technology (VGST), Government of Karnataka. The projects received till date is around 3 crores. These funded projects support advanced research, infrastructure development, student fellowships, and collaborative initiatives, significantly enhancing the research ecosystem of the Department.
Our department has a good placement record and our students are dedicated and committed to long-term professional growth, demonstrated by their sustained contributions and loyalty to their companies. Our students are placed in core companies such as Biocon Pvt Ltd, Bioneeds Pvt Ltd, GE HealthCare Pvt Ltd, KCat Enzymatic Private Limited, String Biosciences Pvt Ltd, and Chromed Biosciences Pvt Ltd. We have students taking up entrepreneurship activities as a part of value added programs, and actively participate in co-curriculum and extracurricular activities taking part in National level Hackathons, International and National Conferences and representing VTU in sports.
Program Details
UG -The Department of Biotechnology offered the program from the year 2006 for undergraduate programme B.E. under Visvesvarya Technological University (VTU). The UG programme became autonomous in the year 2007 with academic autonomy.
Master of Science (M.S. (Research))-The Department of Biotechnology offers a 3 year degree affiliated to VTU under autonomy
Ph.D – The department was recognized as a Research Centre in the year 2011. The Department is offering PhD research in various expertise of Computational Biology, Bioprocess Engineering, and Life Sciences
Vision & Mission
Vision
To be a centre of excellence in education and research in Biotechnology to address the global challenges.
Mission
- To offer industry relevant curriculum and research through industry collaborations.
- To continuously upgrade the infrastructure to develop the facilities for training and research.
- To provide a good learning environment to help students imbibe professional ethics, communication skills, team spirit and societal commitment
Student Life & Activites
- Yasodha, Vinutha, Shravani S. Harijan, Sowjanya, Thanmayi, Soumya participated in the “International Conference on Innovations, Advances in Material Science for Sustainable Goals-2025” at Jaipur, Rajatshan in October,2025
- Bindu E., Lakshmi R. participated in “Pragathi” an International Technical Symposium at BMSCE, Bangalore and received Rs.10000/- prize amount during Dec-2024.
Guest Lecture - 2024- 2025
| Sl. No. | Name of the Speaker | Topic | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Vivek Chandramohan, CEO, Sciomics, Ooty, Tamil Nadu |
Artificial Intelligence in Health Care | 23-10-2024 |
| 2 |
Dr. T.S. Keshava Prasad Professor and Deputy Director, Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya University, Mangalore |
1. Omics Revolution: Integrating Proteomics for Comprehensive Disease Research 2. Omics and Data Science in Medicine: Building Essential Skill Sets for India’s Future Healthcare |
09-01-2025 |
| 3 |
Dr. T.S. Keshava Prasad, Professor and Deputy Director, Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya University, Mangalore |
Single Cell and Spatial Multiomics (Online) | 12-03-2025 |
| 4 |
Vivek Chandramohan, CEO, Sciomics, Ooty, Tamil Nadu |
Metabolomics | 05-04-2025 |
Infrastructure & Facilities
The department is equipped with cutting-edge computing infrastructure:
- High performance GPU Servers (GPX 5 series)
- GPU-enabled work stations
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) (Preparative& Analytical)
- RT-PCR
- UV Spectrophotometer
- 20 ltrs Fermenter
Faculty
Faculty-Specialization- Faculties from varied background including Biochemistry, Microbiology, Bioprocess Engineering, Bimolecular Simulations, Green Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics, and Nanobiotechnology.
Total no. of Faculties
PhD Qualified
Academic Programs & Syllabus
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| B.E. in Biotechnology – UG Program | A comprehensive 4-year program covering genetic engineering, bioprocess technology, fermentation technology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, preparing students for diverse industries. |
| M.S. (Research) | Research is a unique three-year course with equal weightage given to theory and practical work. |
| Ph.D | Research opportunities in genomics, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and agricultural biotechnology. |
Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) - UG
Graduates from Biotechnology will achieve the following Program Educational Objectives within few years of graduation:
- The graduates of the program are practicing engineering profession in IT sectors (IT system engineers, data analyst and computer programmer), and BT sectors (clinical data coordinator, clinical research associate, Quality controller and Quality assurance analyst, Molecular biologist and Business development executive)
- The graduates of the program are engaged in higher studies leading to professional degree in specific domain such as biological sciences, computational biology and also engaged in life-long learning.
- The graduates of the program practice profession with high ethical and moral values and have developed good communication skills and leadership qualities while working as a member of the team or as a team leader.
Program Outcomes (POs) - UG
Graduates will be able to:
- Engineering Knowledge: Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, computing, engineering fundamentals and an engineering specialization respectively to develop to the solution of complex engineering problems.
- Problem Analysis: Identify, formulate, review research literature and analyze complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions with consideration for sustainable development.
- Design/Development of Solutions: Design creative solutions for complex engineering problems and design/develop systems/components/processes to meet identified needs with consideration for the public health and safety, whole-life cost, net zero carbon, culture, society and environment as required.
- Conduct Investigations of Complex Problems: Conduct investigations of complex engineering problems using research-based knowledge including design of experiments, modelling, analysis & interpretation of data to provide valid conclusions.
- Engineering Tool Usage: Create, select and apply appropriate techniques, resources and modern engineering & IT tools, including prediction and modelling recognizing their limitations to solve complex engineering problems.
- The Engineer and The World: Analyze and evaluate societal and environmental aspects while solving complex engineering problems for its impact on sustainability with reference to economy, health, safety, legal framework, culture and environment.
- Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, human values, diversity and inclusion; adhere to national & international laws
- Individual and Collaborative Team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
- Communication: Communicate effectively and inclusively within the engineering community and society at large, such as being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations considering cultural, language, and learning differences.
- Project Management and Finance: Apply knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and economic decision-making and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, and to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.
- Life-Long Learning: Recognize the need for and have the preparation and ability for i) independent and life-long learning ii) adaptability to new and emerging technologies and iii) critical thinking in the broadest context of technological change
Industry Collaboration & Placement
The department has strong industry partnerships, providing students with internships, projects, and placements.
The Department has established MOUs with leading Biotechnology companies and undertakes different student activities.
| Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) | Core Biotechnology Companies | IT Related Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Insilicomics | Biocon Pvt Ltd | Tata Consultancy Services |
| Preclinix | Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories | Wipro |
| BIOSTICA Services Private Limited | Syngene | Infosys |
| Novozymes | CapGemini | |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific | Accenture | |
| Reliance Life Sciences | LTI Mindtree | |
| GE HealthCare Pvt Ltd | ZS Associates | |
| KCat Enzymatic Private Limited | PwC | |
| String Biosciences Pvt Ltd | ||
| Chromed Biosciences Pvt Ltd |
Projects Completed /Ongoing
Title: An Integrated Approach to Study the Effect of Trace Elements on Schizophrenia Proteome.
Funding Agency: SERB, Govt of India. (Scheme – SERB-TARE)
Amount: ₹18.30 lakhs
Duration: 3 Years (2020-2023)
Role: Principal Investigator
Title: Identification of lead compound against nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB) of ulcerative colitis by virtual screening on medicinal plant compounds and invivo test on acetic acid induced u. colitis experimental rats
Funding Agency: VTU Faculty Research Grant, Belagavi
Amount: ₹2.20 lakhs
Duration: 2 Years (2011-2013)
Role: Principal Investigator (2012-2013), Co-PI (2011)
Title: Biotechnology Finishing School (BTFS)
Funding Agency: Department of ITBT, Govt. of Karnataka
Amount: ₹100 lakhs
Duration: 5 Years (2011-2015)
Role: Coordinator
Title: National Network Project of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore
Funding Agency: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India
Amount: ₹395 lakhs (Multi institute grant, SIT ₹ 65 lakhs)
Duration: 5 Years (2025-2030)
Role: Principal Investigator
Title: Network Centre for Research on Glioblastoma Stem cell–targeted T-cell Immunotherapy using Non-genetically Engineered Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Funding Agency: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India
Amount: ₹350 lakhs
Duration: 3 Years (2023-2026)
Role: Co-Investigator
Achievements & Recognition
The department is recognized for research in genetic engineering and synthetic biology.
| Sl No | Name of the Teacher (s). | Title of Paper | Publication citation | National or International Journal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. B.S. Gowrishankar | Validated green and white RP-HPLC method for the estimation of Zolmitriptan in marketed dosage form | Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Volume 42, Year 2024, Pages 1208-1219 | International |
| 2 | Dr. B.S. Gowrishankar | Elseveir, Volume 83, Issue 1, January 2025, Pages 58-67 | Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Volume 42, Year 2024, Pages 1208-1219 | International |
| 3 | Dr. Prasanna D R | Computational exploration of Picrasma quassioides compounds as CviR-mediated quorum sensing inhibitors against Chromobacterium violaceum | Frontiers in Chemistry, 12:1286675, 28 May 2024, 1-13 | International |
| 4 | Dr. Prasanna D R | Exploration of Type III effector Xanthomonas outer protein Q (XopQ) inhibitor from Picrasma quassioides as an antibacterial agent using chemoinformatics analysis | PLOS One, 19(6): e0302105, June 18, 2024, 1-29 | International |
| 5 | Dr. Roopa K.B. | Impact of vermiwash on G4 mulberry leaves in some post cocoon parameters of on silkworm Bombyx mori L | International Journal of Entomology Research, 9(8) August 2024,. 36-42 | International |
| 6 | Dr. Roopa K.B. | Elements of liquid biopsies: isolation, analysis, and clinical application in cancer diagnosis to prognosis | Taylor & Francis Expert review of molecular diagnostics, 24(12), Dec 2024, 1139-1150 | International |
Alumni Success
Our alumnus are working in leading Biotechnology firms, Research Institutes, Healthcare sectors, and Clinical-data driven companies in India and globally.
Admissions
Admissions for B.E. in Biotechnology are available through CET, COMED-K, and JEE Mains. Postgraduate admissions are based on academic qualifications and research interests. For more details, visit the Admissions Page.
