University of Calcutta

History

Year of Establishment : 1997

History of the department :  Department of Biochemistry in Calcutta University was established in 1956 by a renowned visionary Prof Biresh Chandra Guha and have just completed a journey of 6 decades in 2016. This Department was first ever in India to introduce a course in Biochemistry and is blessed by having several ‘Great Teachers’ throughout. Prof Jagat Jiban Ghosh’s dynamic teaching skills, accompanied with his wit, brilliance, and humor has engazed and inspired thousands of students in the department for 4 decades. The research environment in the department was brought in by the dedicated efforts of Prof Indu Bhusan Chatterjee and Prof Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhay. By staying relentlessly positive in the face of entrenched bureaucracy their untiring efforts could bring support in the from of COSIST, DSA/CAS and FIST programs for the department to set up research facilities. With their founding initiative and encouragement the department has grown up now to have a thriving teaching/research program. Following the tradition a great emphasis is given on understanding intermediary metabolism and metabolic disorders in our curriculum,. To expose our students with latest concepts and understandings in cellular biochemistry the Syllabus is upgraded/modified almost every two years. We teach Systems Biology that allow students to appreciate the complexity of the biological systems as a whole. The secret of success of this department lies in the academic environment and close ties between teachers and students. While one enjoys such flexibility, a rigid discipline is maintained as far as the classes and projects are undertaken. This makes the department efficient as a research institute minus the official rigidity therein. That’s where the academic atmosphere of our department stands out and makes it an enjoyable Teaching/Learning experience. Research on fundamental problems in the biology and chemistry of life is the driving force of this department. Historically some well cited work was done on Antibiotics action and the antioxidant effect of Vitamin C. Presently, research on Neurobiochemistry, Nanotechnology, Nutrition, Lifestyle diseases, Stress Biochemistry, Microbial ecology, Plant microbe interactions, and Molecular genetics dominate the intense research environment in the Department. We relish our ambitious efforts to understand the molecular basis of life. To explore the present research interests of our faculty go to the Faculty web page. Department sincerely acknowledges the support by Cosist program (1988-1992), DSA Phase I-II-III (1992-2006), DST FIST Phase I-II (2002-2014). CAS Phase I-II (2006 -2017), DBT Builder program (2010-2017) and the support of all well wishers and Visionaries who have assisted in developing our department.

The M.Sc Program in Biotechnology of the Calcutta University started in the  humble 1200 square feet room in the University campus in Ballygunge (Taraknath Palit Sikhsha Prangan) on December 31, 1997 with intake of six students.

The Centre as well its M.Sc Program in Biotechnology gradually received worldwide recognition and accolade and with that came an encouraging flow of moral and financial support both from abroad and the Government of West Bengal. This witnessed the establishment of an entirely new wing (4th floor) in the same campus opposite to the existing Geography Department.

The new wing, built to meet the needs of state-of-the-art research in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering was inaugurated by the Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharya on March 22, 2005 and marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter in the history of Calcutta University and its research and teaching program in applied bioscience. Since the onset, the department caters 10 students per batch who receive a master’s degree in Biotechnology upon completion of the course.

In the year 2008, a new Department of Biotechnology was formed which merged with the GCGEB for its operations and administrative control.

Special award/ recognition from UGC or related statutory body :  Among the departments of the University declared ‘University with Potential for Excellence’ by UGC.