The Department was established in 1993, and presently offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry/Biotechnology. The department also offers UG programme in Biochemistry and Biotechnology under self- financing mode. It has a group of faculty members who are highly dedicated to their research and teaching activities. Right from the date of inception, the department has been making sustained efforts to produce students of international standards. It is evident from the fact that the majority of the M.Sc. students who have passed so far have been absorbed/engaged in regular services and/or research activities in various reputed institutions like IITR, CDRI, NBRI, SG-PGI, CIMAP, DRDO, JNU, NII, ICGEB, pharmaceuticals companies, and medical colleges along with institutions/ universities abroad. The department has well equipped laboratories with sophisticated instruments. The department has received support from Department of Science and Technology under the FIST programme and UGC-Special Assistance Programme at DRS level. Other major funding agencies include UGC and UPCST, UPCAR, UP Higher education at the state level. The department has expertise in research in the areas of Proteins and Enzymes, Molecular Biology, Nanotechnology, Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicology, Reproductive Biochemistry and Neuroscience. Under the “Centre for Excellence” scheme, the department has the privilege to receive financial support from the government of Uttar Pradesh.

The M.Sc. Biochemistry and M.Sc. Biotechnology courses are spread in four semesters that winds up in a period of two years. Theoretical as well as practical exposures on various aspects is taught and demonstrated and this is followed by comprehensive evaluation system including assignments / presentations/ sessional tests / end semester examination. The bridge between the university and research institute is covered with the students moving on to various prestigious laboratory across the nation for a period of six months. Students also take up Ph.D. programmes and their work gets space in leading journals of Biological Sciences.

The departmental faculty and students have published more than 300 research papers in National and International journals of repute. The faculty members of the department have been well recognized. Professor Farrukh Jamal has been bestowed with “Excellence in Teaching” award from Society for Agriculture Innovations & Development. Professor Jamal has decent and excellent publications along with several independent projects. His recently published book entitled “Genetic Engineering - An Insight into the Strategies and Applications” InTech Publisher, Croatia has been acclaimed internationally. Professor Neelam Pathak’s publication has been well recognized and her book “Genetic Engineering” has received wide appreciation in the scientific community. Under the leadership of Prof. Neelam Pathak and with the cooperation of faculty members, the department is regularly organizing interactive sessions with experts, talks / seminars, and conducting workshops to update the students on various issues related to this field. Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of honorable Vice-Chancellor Professor Ravi Shanker Singh, the department is undergoing transformation in terms of infrastructure enrichment. The department has organized a National Conference on Interdisciplinary Advancements in Biochemistry (NCIAB- 2019) on March 28-29, 2019 with financial support from the State Government of Uttar Pradesh. Enriched and enlightened gathering of scientists, academician and budding researchers actively participated in the conference. During the pandemic times, the department successfully organized a three day “International Webinar” on Looking at Life Differently: A Fall Out of Covid-19 Pandemic” August 6-8, 2020. All the faculty members have received best paper presentation awards in various seminars and conferences and are regularly invited to deliver talks in their area of expertise. The students of this department have created a platform named as “GENE CLUB” where activities both scientific and cultural are held regularly and which culminates into a large-scale programme called “AROMA” at the end of the session. The aim is to blend the scientific temperament with the cultural talent that is reflected in the overall personality of the students and make them a good human being. While two projects entitled “Biochemical and molecular characterization of Ziziphus species and elucidation of bioactive potential” and “Investigation and evaluation of novel drugs based on polyherbal extracts for liver cancer” are running under supervision of Prof. Neelam Pathak and Dr. Neelam Yadav, respectively, Dr. Sangram Singh and Prof. Farrukh Jamal have several projects to their credits. Large number of students has qualified CSIR/UGC/ICAR/ICMR/DBT- JRF/NET/GATE and other national level examinations and several of them are well placed. The department has a list of distinguished alumni. Dr Pragya Yadav(Scientist, NIV, Pune) contributed significantly in the area of vaccine development against Covid 19 in the country. Programs: