About the Department

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science which encompasses areas viz. Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Virology, Plant and Animal tissue culture, Chemistry and Engineering. It is a fast emerging “cutting edge” science with distinctive advantages as it finds applications in practically all aspects of life. The subject offers exciting opportunities in various fields from basic research to an industry oriented career.

Keeping in view expense and applications of biotechnology in every field there is going to be a perpetual demand for resource personnel with biotechnology as specialization. Our undergraduate and postgraduate program is aimed to cater this ever increasing demand and to groom students to excel in their future career.

 The Department made a modest beginning in 2005 with the commencement of

 B. Sc. (Biotechnology) course and the M.Sc. Biotechnology course commenced from 2007.

Fergusson College, Pune, has been granted Autonomous Status by the UGC and SPPU from the academic year 2016-17. The Curriculum, under autonomy, has been designed by highly experienced subject experts. The focus is to bring innovations in the curriculum, to provide extensive hands on training and to make it more relevant to the current scenario in Industry and Research field so as to provide an edge to our students at both National and Global level.

The Department has well equipped laboratories with latest equipments/instruments. The Department has a total six laboratories viz. Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Animal tissue culture, Plant Tissue culture and Computer Laboratories (with internet facility). The Department also has a Departmental library where reputed International and National editions of books and Journals are made available to the students.          

Programs/Courses Offered

Information of the student (Last 3 years)

Graduate (in numbers) : Total 106

Post Graduate (in numbers) : Total 80

Student Achievements

Students selected with scholarship in overseas universities

Anuja Shiralkar (M.Sc-2011) – selected with scholarship in Brandeis Universities, Massachusetts, Boston, USA.

Arpita Bhowmik (Topper in T.Y.B.Sc 2012) recently has received the scholarship for doing M.Sc in Biotechnology at Sheffield University, UK.

Ruchi Bansal, selected for PG program in Indiana University,USA.

Mr Ketan Thorat, selected for M.Tech (Biotechnology) IIT, Powai.

Ms. Disha Bhange, selected for M.Tech (Biotechnology) IIT, Powai.

Paresh Chincholikar -IIT, Kharagpur  for LLB with honours in IPR for 3years

Nikita Malik – JRF at IIT, Mumbai.

Staff Achievements

1. Dr. G.R.Pathade, received Bharat Shikhsha Ratan Award – 2012 (New Delhi). 
   He also performed consultancy work by doing analysis of dental carries.
   He published twelve research papers in International Journals.
   One Ph.D thesis submitted under his guideship.
   Attended two national, two state level and one regional conferences.
   Appeared as Resource Person in three conferences.
   Selected as member of University Committees (staff-selection committee-2, LIC-1)
   He was referee for two PhD thesis and one M.Sc thesis.
   Achieved Jyotish Parangat Degree from R.L.Shah J Academic Institute , Satara.
   He is a member of Ph.D committee and Medical Biotechnology Course Structure Committee, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune.
   
   
2. Dr. Sonali Joshi and Dr. Dhanashri Godbole, published a paper in an international journal entitled “Diglyceride prodrug strategy for enhancing the bioavailability of Norfloxacin, 2011, Chemistry and Physics of Lipids 164, 307-313. 
   Dr. Sonali Joshi also published a paper entitled “Utilization of   Drynaria Quercifolia(L) J.Smith as a Mosquito repellant”.2011, Science Research Reporter 1(3) : 159-163. (Online Publication)
   Dr. Sonali Joshi also participated in Orientation Programme at the Academic staff college, Pune, from 1/11/2011 to 28/11/2011, completed with A Grade.
   
   
3. Dr. Dhanashri Godbole participated in Orientation Programme at the Academic staff college, Pune, from 1/3/2011 to 28/3/2011, completed with A Grade.
4. Dr. Shampa Chakraborti published a short communication entitled “Improvement of Reproductive Health by detecting Iron –Deficiency- Anemia in Adolescent Girls of Rural area.” Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology (2011) 1: 86 -90.  (Online Publication)
5. Dr. Tejas Borwankar published a paper in the journal of Biochemistry   entitled “Natural Osmolytes Remodel the Aggregation Pathway of Mutant Huntingtin Exon 1” Journal of Biochemistry, 2011 Mar 29;50(12):2048-2060.
6. Dr. Manisha Dharmadhikari has presented a poster in an international conference on ‘Current trends in medicinal plants research’ organized by the Dept. of  Botany, University of Pune (2012)

Placement Report

From last year onwards, the Department has initiated a placement activity by participation of Staff members. . Prominent organizations like Serum Institute, Lupin Biotech, Emcure, Reliance Life Science, Gargi Biotech, Microbax India Ltd, Praj Industries., Sudarshan chemicals, Grape research institute etc. have been approached and an encouraging response has been received.

CVs of interested Students were sent to Lupin Biotech, Pune and Reliance Life Science, Mumbai. The following students received their interview calls and selected in the following industries through placement cells of Biotech-Dept:

Kanad Madansure (M.Sc-2010), Amar Swami (M.Sc-2011), Pratik More (M.Sc-2011) and  Prashant Katke (M.Sc-2011) got selected as trainee in Reliance Life Science Ltd, Mumbai with Rs. 12,000 as salary plus incentive through the placement cell of Biotech Department.

 Shreya Bihani, (T.Y.B.Sc 2011) was selected as trainee in Lupin Biotech, Pune .

Industry-Academia Interaction was conducted on 2^nd March, 2012. Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology together organized the programme. Industrialist Dr. Bhogle and Dr. Soni came from Microbax Ltd, Hyderabad and Praj Industries, Pune respectively to interact with the Post graduate students. Student’s response was quite well for the above interaction.

Interviews were conducted by Ncord Biotech Ltd(Model Colony,Pune)  in Fergusson College and three M.Sc Biotech students(2012) were short listed namely Sweta Singh, Mahima Kini and  Prashant Salunkhe.

Sweta Singh and Apoorva Nawalikar have been selected for the job as counselor with Rs. 12,000 salary plus incentive through the placement cell of Biotech Department.

Currently, Placement Cell Members have requested Praj Industry Ltd, Microbax Ltd, Emcure  and E Merck Ltd to conduct campus interview at Fergusson College and  things are in pipeline.

Sr.No.	Photo	Name of the teacher	Designation
1		Dr. Sonali Joshi (M.Sc, Ph.D)	Head.Asst. Professor	Teaching Faculty
2		Dr.Dhanashri.Godbole (M.Sc, Ph.D.NET)	Asst. Professor	Teaching Faculty
3		Dr. Manisha Dharmadhikari (M.Sc, Ph.D)	Asst. Professor	Teaching Faculty
4		Ms. Monica Joshi (M.Sc. (Biotechnology) SET)	Asst. Professor	Teaching Faculty
5		Mrs. Nandini Kotharkar (M.Sc., MBA)	Asst.Professor	Teaching Faculty
6		Dr.Sanket Tembe (M.Sc., Ph.D.(Biochemistry))	Asst.Professor	Teaching Faculty
7		Dr.Tejas Borwankar ( M.Sc, Ph.D (Biochemistry))	Asst.Professor	Teaching Faculty
8		Mrs.Kusum Rawat (M,Sc M.Phil)	Asst.Professor	Teaching Faculty
9		Dr. Sneha Joshi (M.Sc PhD)	Assistant Professor	Teaching Faculty
10		Dr. Gayatri Gurjar (M.Sc PhD NET)	Assistant Professor	Teaching Faculty

Note: Biodata of any of the above mentioned faculty member can be downloaded by clicking on their name.

1. Dr.Dhanashri.Godbole,Asst. Professor , M.Sc, Ph.D.NET
   

   	US patent : Method of staining using Alta. US20060073602A1

• Research Title: Effect of Chromium & lead on some biochemical parameters of Umbonium vestiarium(L) collected from malvan shore

  Researchers : Dr.G.R.Pathade

  Details:

  Research ProjectsBiotech Department:

  Details of Research Projects ( ongoing ) (2008-2009 and2009-2010)

  Sr. No.	Name of Principal Investigator	Year	Title of the Project	Funding Agency	Amount Sanctioned in (Rs.)	Major/Minor
  1	Dr.G.R.Pathade	2010	Title:Effect of Chromium & lead on some biochemical parameters of Umbonium vestiarium(L) collected from malvan shore	UGC	Rs. 1,40,000/-	Minor

• Research Title: Secondary metabolite production

  Researchers : Dr.Manisha Dharmadhikari

  Details:

  Research ProjectsBiotech Department:

  Details of Research Projects 

  Sr. No.	Name of Principal Investigator	Year	Title of the Project	Funding Agency	Amount Sanctioned in (Rs.)	Major/Minor
  1	Dr.Manisha Dharmadhikari	2010	sreening of secondary metabolites from Lichen thalli of western ghats for antimicrobial activity.	BCUD	Rs. 2,25,000/-	Minor