Founded in 1954, the Department of Zoology provides a deep knowledge of the diversity, distribution, classification, anatomy, behavior, physiology, biochemistry, evolution and other aspects of animal life. The Department conducts B.Sc. (Hons.) Zoology, and B.Sc. (Prog.) Life Sciences courses. The expertise and growth in teaching has been accomplished by highly qualified faculty members over the years, supported by state of the art lecture theatre and well-equipped laboratories. The departmental museum and library has a rich collection of specimens and books respectively, to enhance the teaching learning process of the Department.
The Department believes in all-round development of students and encourages them to participate in both academic and extracurricular activities. A vast array of academic activities like guest lectures by eminent scientists, seminars, workshops, and laboratory visits are organized round the year to complement the classroom teaching. A regular annual organization of international/ national Conferences, symposia and various awareness programmes of repute are done for well being of students.
The Department has three research laboratories where students enroll for Ph.D. programs. These well equipped research laboratories also provide an opportunity to do post-doctoral research, summer internship and various short term training for research students.
The "Zoological Society" of department organizes vibrant annual festival 'CHIMAERA', an inter-college event for the students. The Department also promotes scientific culture among students by DBT Star College projects, colloquium, biodiversity club etc.
Teacher In-Charge : Dr. Manisha Sengar
Department Coordinator: Dr. Sunil Kayesth
DBT Star Advisory Committee Member: Dr. Kamal Kumar Gupta
Documentation of Ecological Adaptations in Freshwater & Marine Fishes based on Morphological, Biochemical, Molecular Data & Food Selection Behaviour of Closely Related Species
Mentor/PI: Dr. Moses Rinchui Ngasainao, Dr. Sandhya Rai and Dr. Kiran Bala
Number of students: Nine
Project status: Literature survey was done by the students. Protocol has been finalized.
Dermatoglyphics: A preliminary tool for Blood group Typing
Mentor/PI: Dr. Kiran Bala, Dr. Gouri and Dr. Moses Rinchui Ngasainao
Number of students: Seven
Project status: Literature survey was done by the students. The objectives have been finalized. The Methodology has been finalized after discussion between students and mentors. Standard published protocol has been used to collect the fingerprints of both the hands.
To Predict the Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour and Practice of Vitamin D and Sunlight among the students and Spread Awareness
Mentor/PI: Dr. Sandhya Rai and Dr. Manisha Sengar
Number of students: Seven
Project status: Intensive survey of literature has been done in order to prepare the questionnaire regarding the vitamin D knowledge, practice and attitude towards sunlight exposure. The questions are being prepared to get the maximum information from the subjects.
Assessment of effects of sub-lethal doses of ethanol and hexane extract of Ocimum sanctum on dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti L (Diptera: Culicidae)
Mentor/PI: Mr. Mohd Shazad, Dr. Sunil Kayesth and Dr. Kamal Kumar Gupta
Number of students: Four
Project status: Literature survey was done. Culturing of A. aegypti, identification of different stages of A. aegypti study of life cycle of A. aegypti accomplished and preparation of Ocimum sanctum leaves extract by using ethanol as solvent was done by using Soxhlet apparatus.
In-vitro screening of salivary Amylase, Lipase and Protease against tea extract, Urea and detergents used in synthetic milk, acidic water contained in aluminum cookware and water heated in plastic cookware in microwave oven
Mentor/PI: Dr. Sunil Kayesth, Mr. Mohd Shazad and Dr. Kamal Kumar Gupta
Number of students: Four
Project status: Literature survey was done by the students. Procurement of the Instruments is under progress.
Effect of yoga on the pulmonary health of young adults of age 18-22 years
Mentor/PI: Dr. Varsha Baweja, Dr. Gajendra Singh and Dr. Sushma Sharma
Number of students: Six
Project status: Students have done the review of literature. They read the research papers thoroughly and discussed with their peers and mentors. This exercise was done to inculcate among them a scientific temperament and thoughtful understanding of the project. The questionnaire for recording data is being developed. The consent of yoga trainer for yoga intervention and supervision has been obtained. The order has been placed for purchasing spirometer; however, the equipment could not be delivered to us due to imposed lockdown against COVID 19 pandemic.
ROLE OF RETINOIC ACID ON DENDRITIC CELL MATURATION AND FUNCTION
Convener: Dr. Sunil Kayesth (Convener), Dr. Kiran Bala (Co-convener), Dr. Indrakant K. Singh (Coordinator, DBT Star College Scheme), Dr. Aditya Saxena (Coordinator, IQAC)
Invited Speaker: Dr. Mohammad Farazuddin (Nanotechnology Institute and Mary H Weiser Food Allergy Center at University of Michigan, United State of America)
Date of visit: February 13, 2021
Number of students: More than 100
Description: Dr. Mohammad Farazuddin was the eminent speaker who has contributed over 10 years of research experience. Dr. Farazuddin delivered his talk in a very interesting way, and conveyed his message to all type of audience. After the completion of the talk, students and faculty discussed in length with Dr. Faraza and asked very interesting questions he resolved the queries of all the listeners.
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Colloquium cum Alumni Talk by Dr. Sivaram VS Myalavarapu on “Tunneling nanotubes: secret channels that smuggle cargo between cells in health and disease”
Convenor: Dr. Varsha Baweja
Date of the program: 1st October, 2020
No. of participants: more than 80
Invited Speakers: Dr. Sivaram V S Myalavarpu, Associate Professor, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad
Description : Dr. Sivaram V S Myalavarpu is Associate Professor at Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad and a proud alumnus of Deshbandhu College. The talk focused upon TNT (Tunneling NanoTubes) which are hollow tubes enclosed by plasma membrane, connecting distant cells and transporting a variety of cargo such as ions, pathogens and organelles. The lecture was scientifically very exciting and was successful in arousing many questions from the audience which were convincingly answered by the speaker.
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National E-Symposium on Food Safety and Health
Organizing Faculty: Dr. Varsha Baweja (Convener), Dr. Moses Rinchui (Co-convener), Dr. I. K. Singh (Coordinator, DBT Star College Project), Dr. Aditya Saxena (Coordinator, IQAC)
Invited Speaker: Dr. Eram S Rao (Associate Professor and HOD, Department of Food Technology, BCAS, University of Delhi), Dr. Sanu Jacob (Director Lab Training and surveillance; FSSAI, GOI), Dr. Sheetal Gupta (Deputy Director, FSSAI-Western Region)
Date of the program: September 19, 2020 on Zoom Platform
Title of Symposium: National E-Symposium on Food Safety and Health
Number of students: More than 100
Description: At the outset Dr Varsha Baweja, Convenor of the e-symposium welcomed all the dignitaries and briefed about the symposium. Inaugural address was delivered by the Patron of the symposium Dr Rajiv Aggarwal, he acknowledged the contribution of IQAC, Deshbandhu College and DBT Star College Scheme in organizing such events. Dr. Rao began her talk with the three pillars of food safety. First, “if it’s not safe, it’s not food” emphasising the value of good nutritional value of food. Second, hygiene maintenance and third about sustainability. She focussed on how antimicrobial residues are the next threat after this pandemic. The symposium was very fruitful with brain storming sessions from invited speakers. The event brought together some 100 participants which includes students and faculty members.
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Alumni Talk by Dr. Ravi Toteja on “Exploring single cell eukaryotic organisms-Ciliates”
Convenor: Dr. Varsha Baweja
Date of the program: 12th September,2020
No. of participants: more than 100
Invited Speakers: Dr. Ravi Toteja, Officiating Principal, Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi
Description : Dr. Ravi Toteja is the officiating Principal of Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi and a proud alumnus of Deshbandhu College. The basis of the talk delivered by Dr. Ravi was exploring ciliates and their diversity, how ciliates and bacterial diversity gets affected in highly polluted environment like sewage treatment plants and stress induced by heavy metals. Ciliates are very diverse and can be helpful for mankind in the future aspects. Through his valuable talk, we explored the amazing world of ciliates.
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Colloquium Talk by Dr. Gaurav Majumdar on “The developing brain: critical periods in neuroplasticity”
Convenor: Dr. Varsha Baweja
Date of the program: 3rd September, 2020
No. of participants: more than 100
Invited Speakers: Dr. Gaurav Majumdar, FWO Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Description : The virtual talk was delivered by Dr. Gaurav Majumdar, FWO Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Antwerp, Belgium. He explained that the neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to adapt structurally and functionally in response to the experiences as well as injury and is induced by activity. The more you feed your brain the more it adapts. Dr. Gaurav’s talk gave us all a prefrontal workout with his captivating talk and gave us a take home message that neuroplasticity is experience-dependent and activity induced and childhood is the most versatile phase of one’s life.
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Colloquium Talk by Dr. Indrakant K. Singh on “Covid-19 treatment and vaccine candidates: gearing up for global recovery”
Convenor: Dr. Varsha Baweja
Date of the program: 27th August, 2020
No. of participants: more than 100
Invited Speakers: Dr. Indrakant K. Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College
Description : Dr. Indrakant K. Singh is a Molecular Biologist and one of the faculty of Department of Zoology, Deshbandhu College. The talk started with innumerable achievements of the professor in various fields of research giving us a life mantra that ‘Learning has no Age Bar’. The whole discussion revolved around four major points, as described by the speaker: cracking the virus code, the virus SARS-CoV-2, something is in the air, it’s airborne or undergoes surface transmission and the disease Covid-19. Even though Dr. Indrakant is not a virologist but his habit of connecting with people and continuous learning has made him contribute his modicum on this global subject.
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Colloquium Talk by Dr. Priya Shukla on “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Life Style Interventions”
Convenor: Dr. Varsha Baweja
Date of the program: 20th August, 2020
No. of participants: 180 participants
Invited Speakers: Dr. Priya Shukla, Consultant Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeon & Cosmetic Gynecologist, Max Hospital Saket, Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
Description : Dr. Shukla in her enlightening talk explained PCOS in detail and how it can be attributed to disturbed hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, genetic and environmental factors like lifestyle and dietary habits. She emphasized the need of a healthy lifestyle including balanced diet, aerobics, exercise, brisk walk, yoga and avoidance of junk food. She recommended that these practices would certainly give significant results when included on a daily basis. The session was very gripping and interactive.
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Webinar to commemorate “World Environment Day”
Convenors: Dr. Varsha Baweja, Dr. Manisha Sengar
Date of the program: 6TH June, 2020
No. of participants: more than 100
Invited Speakers: Dr. Pawan Kumar Bharti Chauhan, Scientist, Shriram Research Institute, New Delhi and Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Khudsar, Scientist in-charge, Yamuna Diversity Park, New Delhi
Description : One-day webinar on the occasion of “World Environment Day” was organized. Two eminent speakers – Dr. Pawan Kumar Bharti Chauhan, an environmental scientist at Shriram Research Institute, New Delhi and Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Khudsar, a wildlife biologist and scientist in-charge, Yamuna Diversity Park, New Delhi delivered their talks. Dr. Pawan Kuman Bharti laid emphasis on environmental pollution including biological indices of pollution, public health concerns and environmental management including solid and industrial waste management. Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Khudsar focused on how the last century has seen unprecedented loss of ecosystems that flourished on the banks of rivers due to the habitat conversion and urbanization. He further stated that the water, considered as free resource is now marketed and that day is not too far when humans have to rely on oxygen cylinders and pay money to get pure oxygen. The talks were truly enlightening and interactive for everyone participated.
Virtual Field Visit to Aravalli Biodiversity Park
Convenor: Dr. Kamal Kumar Gupta (Biodiversity Club), Dr. Manisha Sengar (B.Sc. (P) Life Science), Dr. Indrakant K. Singh (Coordinator, DBT Star College Scheme), Dr. Aditya Saxena (Coordinator, IQAC)
Date of the program: February 10, 2021. 11:45am to 1:30pm
No. of participants: 120
Invited Speakers: Dr M Shah Hussain (Scientist In-charge, Aravalli Biodiversity Park) and Dr Balwinder (Scientist) Aravalli Biodiversity Park.
Description : The visit was organized to fulfill academic requirement of practical syllabus of Animal Diversity core paper of B.Sc (Prog.) Life Science first semester. The event was hosted on Zoom virtual platform with over 120 participants including both students and faculty members of Deshabndhu college and other colleges of University of Delhi. Dr M Shah Hussain (Scientist In-charge) and Dr Balwinder (Scientist) Aravalli Biodiversity Park was the invited speakers. They focused on the relevance of Aravalli Biodiversity Park as a cradle of nature in the busy area of South Delhi and as habitats for many species of plants and animals. They also narrated the efforts and hard work done to set up the Aravalli Biodiversity Park on barren land resulting from unmanaged mining activities.
Lecture-Cum Virtual Lab Visit on Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology- A Tool for Shaping Human Future
Coordinators: Dr. Manisha Sengar (Convener), Dr. Kiran Bala (Co-convener) Dr. Indrakant K. Singh (Coordinator, DBT Star College Scheme), Dr. Aditya Saxena (Coordinator, IQAC)
Invited Speaker: Dr. Anil Kumar (Staff Scientist, NII), Dr. Jogeswar S. Purohit (Assistant Professor, Cluster Innovation Center, DU)
Date of visit: October 31, 2020
Number of students: More then 160
Description: Dr. Anil Kumar, Staff Scientist at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, spoke on “Towards Understanding The Gut Of Microbiome”.The talk pivoted on the machinery used by intestinal bacterial to convert dietary nutrients to immunomodulatory metabolites and the influence of diet in microbiome composition of living organisms. Dr. Jogeshwar’s talk revolved around synthetic cells and epigenetics as a basis of cell differentiation which forms the basis for cellular dynamics. The last part of programme probably the one that most awaited was “The Virtual Lab Tour” showing the emerging tools and techniques in the field of molecular biotechnology such as Anaerobic Workstation for altering and isolating anerobic bacteria, PCR, Cell Culture Hood and the usage of ‘Nanodrop Spectrophotometer’. More than 160 participants made their valuable presence including faculty members, research scholars and students from various colleges and universities, including few of our alumni.
Virtual field visit to by Mr. Kaushik Sarkar to “The vanishing Hessaraghatta Grasslands, Bengaluru”
Convenors: Dr. Sandhya Rai, Dr. Moses Rinchui
Date of the program: 16th January, 2020
No. of participants: more than 200
Invited Speakers: Mr. Kaushik Sarkar, Wildlife Biologist, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Description : The Virtual Visit was conducted by Mr. Kaushik Sarkar, Wildlife Biologist, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka and a proud alumnus of our college. He started by cherishing the beauty of Hessaraghatta grasslands, the last remaining grasslands of Bengaluru that stretches around 300 acres. The beauty as well as the ecological importance of the grasslands were truly unbelievable and diversified. Although 256 species have been reported presently, various rare migratory species also visit the place, so it is regarded as one of the top birding hotspots in Bangaluru. Mr. Sarkar put up all his views and concerns for the environment so intricately that the participants thoroughly enjoyed listening to him as it was also evident from the bombardment of several questions.