DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry

Biochemistry is avibrant branch of life sciences devoted to elucidate the various molecular mechanisms by which living organisms carry out their many functions. The Department of Biochemistry is dedicated to investigate the complex relationships and mechanisms that control biological processes.

Motto

Concepts of life at the Biochemical and Molecular level

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Biochemistry is to help build a better future by providing aspiring students with the opportunity to obtain an outstanding education by engaging in a program of instruction that emphasizes:

• Critical thinking
• Quantitative analysis
• Effective application of research findings
• Intensive experimental based learning activities

The mission of the PhD degree program in the Department of Biochemistry is to provide doctoral candidates with the ability to think individually and translatethe new knowledge for improvement in the quality of living.

Vision:

Precise understanding of the molecular interactions that underlie both normal physiology and disease states is the foundation for rational approaches to genetic therapies, drug design and personalized medicine. Our goal in this endeavour is to obtain a molecular understanding of various disease mechanisms, generating new tools, such as, biosensors, cardiac biomarkers, rat models and therapeutic molecules that will enhance the quality of life through better medical care, disease prevention measures, nutrition, and environmentally sound processes.

Provide education, training, and work environments that are characterized by honesty, liability, impartiality, and a commitment to provide opportunities and support for all — especially to individuals belonging to underrepresented populations.

About us:

The Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences is known for its renowned scientists and distinguished professors. It was founded by Dr. J. Jayaraman, a pioneer in the field of eukaryotic molecular biology who joined the university as a reader in the year 1971. The other pillars of the department include Dr. C. Rjamanickam (1977), molecular cardiology researcher and Dr. G. Shanmugam, a leading cancer biologist of the country. In the year 1978, Dr. J. Sadique served the department for a short span of time as a lecturer. Dr. G. S. Selvam, the Founder and Head (1989-1999), Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, joined as a reader in Madurai Kamaraj University in the year 1999 and currentlyserving as professor and Head of the Department. His research interests include medical and environmental biochemistry.

Innovative teaching:

Innovative teaching is necessary for students to enhance their thinking ability, reasoning aptitude, and work individually and as a team. Class rooms and teaching hours provided to students are likened to discussion forum rather to one-dimensional teaching. The departmental library facilities and computer facilities encourage students to sharpen their current knowledge in science. The students are provided with platforms to portray their real skills by carrying out assignments emphasising the value of 3D model representations and innovative projects. Our Department provides a rich environment for both faculty and student growth, and we welcome inquiries.

Research

About Research Our research is focused on developing an efficient probiotic bacterial therapy against Kidney stone disease as well as diagnostic protein and genetic biomarkers for diabetes and its associated complications in Cardiovascular disease. The research with oxalate degrading probiotic recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum expressing Bacillus subtilis oxalate decarboxylase (OxdC) for intestinal oxalate degradation and prevention of recurrent kidney stone formation. Further, the inducible expression system was modified with the constitutive expression and secretion of OxdC protein in human microbiotaL. plantarum WCFS1 with homologous Signal peptides. Subsequently, oral administration of Oxdc secreting L. plantarum capable of mitigating CaOx stone formation by increased intestinal oxalate degradation. In addition administration of indigenous oxalate degrading lactic acid bacteria and quercetin prevents calcium oxalate stone formation in rats fed with oxalate rich diet. The usage of genetically modified organism in medicine raises legitimate concerns about the survival and propagation in the environment. To conquer this crisis Prof selvam and his team develops biological containment probiotics using Group II Intron donar cassette, a powerful tool for prevention of recurrent kidney stone formation in human. He studied the immunotherapeutic potential of biologically contained food grade Lactobacillus planatarum WCFS1 displaying peanut allergen on allergy induced mice model. Our research team showed Cardiac isoform of alpha-2 macroglobulin (CA2M), an early marker in cardiac hypertrophy. In addition CA2M could be a valuable marker for the diagnosis of myocardial infarcted diabetic patients.

The potential impact of genetic variants studied in Nrf2 regulated antioxidant genes and risk prediction of diabetes and cardiovascular disease complications and the use of bioflavanoidNaringinin confers the protection against the oxidative stress through upregulation of Nrf2 target genes. The antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds from plant extracts of, their protective role on hyperglycemic and oxalate stress in NRK-49F cells.

Research Highlights:
 Colorimetry Based Whole Cell Bacterial Biosensor for Cadmium
 Studies on proteomic alterations in Rheumatic heart disease induced cardiac arrhythmia in human serum sample among South Indian population
 Identification of novel biomarker for oral cancer using saliva
 Identification of novel diagnosticmarker for type 2 diabetes
 Development of GFP Based Bacterial Biosensor Model for Heavy Metal Bioremediation.
 Molecular Basis of Cadmium mediated Cardiovascular disease progression & therapeutic role of Gallic acid against Cd induced Cardiac dysfunction.