Biotechnology and Bioinformatics are interdisciplinary sciences that have tremendous potential for improving quality of life. Taking this into account, Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (IBB) was established at Savitribai Phule Pune University (Formerly Pune University). This Institute was set up in 2003 with support from University Grant Commission under “University with Potential for Excellence” initiative. The mission of the Institute is to train manpower and execute research activities with societal relevance. IBB is jointly merged with Department of Biotechnology since May 2021.
Every year,30 students at the standard XII level are inducted via an All India Entrance examination. The main academic programs are the Integrated M.Sc./M.Tech. courses completed in 5/6 years and the Ph.D. program. The M.Sc. Virology course in collaboration with National Institute of Virology, Pune is also conducted.
Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science that requires inputs from pure sciences other than Biology, namely Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Students opt for courses related to basic sciences and their applications in the fields of medicine, diagnostics, pharma and environment, mention a few. The curriculum is regularly evaluated by all stake holders and revised from time to time to update students with recent developments in the field. Major emphasis is on the practical component that is close to fifty percent of the course work. The practical sessions are conducted in laboratories that are equipped with modern instrumentation that the students can easily access. Students via seminars and project presentations become confident and develop good communication skills. They are encouraged to think independently and to identify their area of interest. This is evident from the fact that for their final year projects, they get trained at reputed National and International Institutes and Universities. Students from colleges affiliated to SPPU and other universities are also trained in the form of six-month projects. After obtaining the Master’s degree, most of the students register for Ph.D. programs in well-known Research Institutes or Universities in India and abroad. Others get trained in management, patent filing, teaching or entrepreneurship.
Associated faculty members are highly qualified with expertise in varied fields of Biotechnology and the non-teaching staff is dedicated and hard working. They ensure smooth running of the academic and research programs.
With respect to the research component as well we are on the forefront. Research programs are well blended with the academic program. Research by faculty members is focused on biofuels, biomaterials, nanobiotechnology, environmental biotechnology, microbial and molecular genetics, biotherapeutics and natural products, cancer and stem cell biology, insect plant interactions and plant biotechnology. These programs are mainly aimed at addressing problems of national and local relevance.
Research work has been published in the form of numerous papers in internationally acclaimed journals with very high impact factors. Several students have enrolled for the Ph.D. program and alumni Ph.D. students are working in different reputed Universities or Institutes. Faculty members have also attracted funds from different funding agencies such as UGC, DST, DBT, CSIR, BRNS, National and multinational companies.
We thus believe in imparting quality education and empowering students to be successful professionals and responsible human beings.
-Prof. Smita Zinjarde
Senior Professor and Head
Department of Biotechnology
(with jointly merged IBB)
IBB
