The Department of Biochemistry offers Bachelors with honours in Biochemistry, one of the most sought-after science courses in the University. It is a branch of science which deals with chemistry of living organisms and that of their biological processes. The Department has a highly experienced and committed teaching faculty which leaves no stone unturned to help students explore their potential and develop scientific aptitude through teaching and various activities, lab visits, and innovative projects. The department has a well-equipped state-of art laboratory with good instrumentation facility.
Teacher In-Charge & DBT Star Advisory Committee Member: Dr Preeti Karwal
Department Coordinators: Dr Kamana Singh, Dr Rajni Jain
Screening of Dietary Polyphenols and Melatonin as an adjunct therapy for Covid-19 treatment: A review
Mentors /PIs: Dr. Vineeta Kashyap
Number of students: 4
Project status: Completed
Description: In this Project, students learned the process of Scientific paper writing. Here a review paper was prepared. The students did a vigorous search of all the research articles pertaining to nutraceuticals, repurposed drugs, hormones and vitamins used for therapy of COVID-19. Based on both in silico and animal studies the family of Polyphenols was screened and finally a polyphenol Epigallocatechin 3-gallate present in green tea was selected based on our eligibility criteria. On the hand Melatonin, a neurohormone was also selected. Both these nutraceuticals exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could be utilized with repurposed antiviral drugs as an adjunct therapy for alleviating the severe clinical manifestations of COVID-19 disease.
To study the role of Catalase and Peroxidase enzymes in Senescence of attached and Detached Saraca asoca L
Mentors /PIs: Dr. Vineeta Kashyap
Number of students: 4
Project status: Completed
Description: The catalase activity increases 36% of the initial activity in the aging old attached leaves (OAL) but decreased to 17% of the initial activity in attached middle-aged attached leaves(MAL). On the contrary with the increasing age of the leaves, catalase activity gradually decreases with time in the detached leaves.
A review of literature of intravesical BCG immunotherapy for Non Muscle invasive Bladder Cancer during Covid-19.
Mentors /PIs: Dr. Preeti Karwal, Dr Vanshika Lumb
Number of students: 2
Project Status: Completed
Description: We searched PUBMED for articles with the keywords BCG and COVID-19.BCG immunotherapy has been proposed to offer protection against COVID-19.The etiology of both diseases COVID-19 and NMIBC involves activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Also, given positive correlation between BCG vaccination and lesser COVID-19 incidence and mortality rate, there is a reasonable consensus on continuing intravesical BCG immunotherapy for high risk NMIBC cases during pandemic.
In silico analysis of lactose mimic as beta galactosidase substrate.
Mentor/PI: Dr. Prabha Arya and Dr Kamana Singh
Number of students: 7
Status: Ongoing
Basic bioinformatic analysis and molecular visualization of beta galactosidase enzyme
Mentor/PI: : Dr. Prabha Arya
No. of Students: 6
Status: Completed
A survey based evaluation of COVID 19 vaccine efficacy and challenges faced by Indian population.
Mentor/PI: : Dr. Preeti Karwal and Dr Vanshika Lumb
No. of Students: 5
Status: Ongoing
Biospark, 2021: National Webinar on Bio-informatics by Dr. N. Latha
Convenor: Dr. Preeti Karwal
Date of the program: 9th April, 2021
No. of participants: More than 70
Invited Speakers: Dr. N. Latha, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Sri Venkateshwara College
Description : Dr. N. Latha apprised the students about “Learning Biology through the lens of Bioinformatics”. With her vast knowledge regarding the field of bio-informatics she was able to engage the students in the various databases and online tools available to study and compare the genomes. She guided and encouraged the students towards pursuing a fruitful career which helped in clearing dogmas and doubts of the young minds.
Biospark, 2021: Inter-College Competitions
Convenor: Dr. Preeti Karwal
Date of the program: 9th April, 2021
No. of participants: More than 25
Description: The department invited participation of undergrad science students in two inter-college competitions, namely INNOSPARK and CELL DIALOGUETOON on March 23, 2021, wherein more than twenty entries were received in each category by April 6, 2021. 11 best entries, which qualified for the second round were given a chance to present their idea during the Biospark event on April 9, 2021 in virtual mode. Innospark focussed on presentation of an innovative idea by students in an effective and time bound manner through power point presentation.
International Webinar on Protein Structure and Function by Dr. Harshul Arora Veraszato - our Alumnus
Convenor: Dr. Preeti Karwal
Date of the program: 31st July, 2021
No. of participants: More than 70
Invited Speakers: Dr Harshul Arora Veraszato
Description : Dr Harshul Arora Veraszato is currently a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Her topic of the talk was “Protein Structure and Function: Pentafunctional AROM Complex”.
Release of the Departmental Magazine: BIOSPARK, 2021- The Pandemic Edition
Convenor: Dr. Preeti Karwal
Date of the program: 31st July, 2021
No. of participants: More than 70
Description : The departmental magazine, Biospark 2021- The pandemic edition, with scientific articles from students and faculty members was released
Biospark, 2022- National Webinar on Toxin- Anti-toxin System by Dr. Mahavir Singh - our alumnus
Convenor: Dr. Kamana Singh, Dr Vineeta Kashyap
Date of the program: 29th January, 2022.
No. of participants: More than 80
Invited Speakers: Dr. MAHAVIR SINGH, Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Description: Dr. MAHAVIR SINGH, an Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Science, bangalore. He spoke on the topic: "Structure and Assembly of Toxin-Antitoxin Systems: Intracellular Molecular Time bombs in Bacteria".
Biospark, 2022- Intercollege Magazine Coverpage Designing Competition
Convenor: Dr. Kamana Singh, Dr Vineeta Kashyap
Date of Result: 29th January, 2022.
No. of participants: 15
No. of Prizes: 2
Description: On the occasion of Biospark 2022, the department also organized a student activity , Sci-Idea wherein the students were given an opportunity to design the cover page of the upcoming departmental magazine. The theme of this competition was, Role of Science and Technology for an Atma Nirbhar Bharat” and we received creative and innovative entries from students of different colleges.
Virtual Open Day at CSIR- CCMB, Hyderabad
Teacher Co-ordinators: Dr. Prabha Arya and Dr. Astha Giri
Date of the program: 23rd - 26th September, 2021.
No. of participants: 20
Discussion and Presentations by: Dr. Saikat Chakraborty; Dr. Ziba Rizvi, Scientists and Research Scholars from CCMB Hyderabad
Description: The four day Open Day by CSIR-CCMB Hyderabad enriched the students with virtual tours of the Zebra fish facility, focussed on topics like epigenetics, stem cell research, human diseases etc. The open day also helped students understand what lies further in the field of science with seminar like "How to become a scientist".
Outreach activity hosted by CSIR- IGIB, New Delhi
Date of the program: 27th May, 2021.
No. of participants: 20
Topic: Virtual Tour of IGIB and Human Biology through the Fisheye Lens
Speaker: Dr. Chetana Sachidanandan; Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh
Description: On 27th May 2021, CSIR-IGIB, Delhi, conducted a webinar on its outreach activities under the initiative CSIR- JIGYASA. It invited the undergraduate students of Deshbandhu College and Bhaskaracharya College, University of Delhi, along with higher secondary students of a school in Uttarakhand. “virtual walk-through” session which highlighted the Discovery of Genomics Building which houses all the research labs at CSIR-IGIB. The virtual tour was followed by Dr. Archana Singh’s enlightening talk about the TEM facility at IGIB. Later, Dr. Chetana Sachidanandan, Principal Scientist, Zebrafish Chemical Genetics, made the students comprehend the human anatomy through a fisheye lens, she meant to enlighten about the magnified view of human anatomy by using zebrafish.
Outreach activity hosted by CSIR- IGIB, New Delhi
Date of the program: 17th April, 2021
No. of participants: 25
Discussion and Presentations by: Dr. Shravanti Rampalli Deshpande, Dr. Archana Singh
Description: On 17th April 2021, CSIR-IGIB, Delhi, conducted a webinar on its outreach activities. It invited several students from Deshbandhu College, Miranda House, University of Delhi along with their mentors and also included students of IGIB. The webinar included a virtual tour to its workspace and various research facilities available at IGIB by the Outreach team. Dr. Archana Singh made the audience understand about the working of the tramission electron microscope which is a great tool to use in various experiments providing reference to study the cells of the skin. She showed how to load a sample to visualise various organelles of the cell like mitochondria, golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum at a magnification of 5000x. This was followed by an edifying lecture session by Dr. Shravanti Rampalli Deshpande, Fellow Scientist in the Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, who apprised the students about “Stem cells: Facts and Fiction”.
Biochem Reconnoitre - The Journal Club of the Department of Biochemistry
Activity Co-ordinator: Dr. Astha Giri
Activity date: Every saturday, since Mar, 2021
Participating students: The entire Department of Biochemistry
In an effort to enhance the scientific reading and presentation skills of the student, the department regularly holds a weekly JC meet wherein students and faculties present, discuss and deliberate upon various upcoming research in the field of biological sciences.
Follow the link to reach the Biochem Reconnoitre Webpage:
Capacity Building Workshop on Basic Laboratory Techniques and Lab Ethics
Date: 22.12.2021- 24.12.2021
No. Of participants: 75
Convener: Dr. Kamana Singh, Dr. Manisha Sengar, Dr. Aparna Nautiyal
Description: To strengthen the technical skill of the non teaching staff of life science laboratories, the Department of Biochemistry, Botany and Zoology, Deshbandhu College, jointly organized a three day Capacity Building Workshop on Basic Laboratory Techniques and Lab Ethics from 22nd Dec, 2021 to 24th Dec, 2021. This workshop gave hands-on training on various important practical aspects of life science courses. The involved departments prepared a module and also compiled a laboratory manual for the same. The Department of Biochemistry focused on the very basics of lab work like cleaning and maintenance of glasswares, weighing and preparation of solutions, working of pH meter and laboratory safety as well as lab ethics.
Online Hands-on Workshop on Research Methodology
Date: 1st Apr, 2021 – 4th Apr, 2021
No. Of participants: 200
Convener: Dr. Preeti Karwal ; Dr. Varsha Baweja; Dr. Aparna Nautiyal
Description: The workshop aimed at exploring the basic dimensions of research and get a deeper understanding of the area using a hands-on approach. The lectures, hand-on sessions and other activities undertaken during the four days of the workshop in nine engaging sessions witnessed participations of more than 200 intellects including faculty members, graduate/postgraduate students and researchers across the country. The hands-on sessions organized on Day 2 and Day 3 on very relevant topics like Data Collection and Analysis, Statistical Tests of Significance, Scientific Writing and Communication and Referencing Tools. The workshop included topics like, Ethical issues, Patent filing and Intellectual Property Rights