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Biotech. Research Thrusts of IITs
#1
In the last few years, the academic domain of Biotechnology sector has seen some real boom in India. A rat race can be seen among various private institutes in offering a variety of Biotechnology courses/diplomas/degrees. The surge is really high in the "quantity" of institutes, but the "quality" is offered by very Few! And, among all the big names in educational sector, IITs (Indian Institute of Technology group) stand tall as the dream destination for every student (Biotech Students are No Exception!). The quality they offer, and added to that the brand name of IITs take a student on a path to a bright and proud scientific/business career.

Here in this article, my focus would be on highlighting,"What IITs have in offering for Biotechnology students/aspirants?". The research thrusts of various IITs (Top 7) will be en-lighted herein:

Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi):
Starting with IIT Delhi (my Alma mater ), it has a dedicated "Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology (DBEB)" and "Kusuma School of Biological Sciences".
IIT Delhi is the best place for an aspiring Bioprocess/Biochemical Engineer, that's what DBEB is well renowned for! Ever since the day of it's initiation as long back as 1968 (one can imagine the expertise and reputation of the department), DBEB's research has been focused on industry relevant Bioprocesses and Products. Their experience in Enzyme and Microbial Systems is beyond comparison. They have a unique experience of cultivation of plant cells in big bioreactors (3-15L), commercialization of biofertilizers, bio-ethanol production, working on Nano-particle mediated drug delivery, application of molecular motors. They are one of the oldest experts in Bioprocess Modelling & Simuation too. The state-of-art facilities at DBEB include high through-put molecular biology equipments, a wide range of bioreactors (have a dedicated pilot plant with 300-1000L reactors), whole range of upstream and downstream processing instruments etc. Here's a link to the DBEB Departmental Website of IIT Delhi: DBEB IIT DELHI

The Kusuma School of Biological Sciences at IITD, is a rather new establishment (2008) and has core molecular level, structural level and system level research thrusts. It's famous for research on healthcare/disease prospects through emphasis on signal transduction, chemical biology, virology, immunology and computational biology etc. Here's a link to Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IITD: KSB

Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai (IIT Bombay)
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay is the place if being a Biomedical Engineer is what you aspire the most. Hard core research on cancer biology, nano-medicine, nano-robots, prosthetics, biomedical instruments is done at Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering (DBSBE) IITB. Though they have expertise on bioprocessing too viz. fungal cultivation for enzymes, use of plug-flow reactors etc, their expertise in Biomedical Engineering is incomparable. Recently in Jan 2012, IITB inaugurated Wadhwani Research Centre in Biosciences and Bioengineering (WRCBB), with an aim to upthrust the research prospectives of DBSBE in cancer research. WRCBB will be focussing on Cell Motility and Cancer Invasion apart from the core thrusts of DBSBE.DBSBE IITB

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
Founded in 2004, the Department of Biotechnology of IIT Madras has wide range of research thrusts viz. Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Computational Neuroscience, Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering, Stem Cells and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Drug Designing etc. But, their experience in Bioprocess Engineering is quite famous among the industries, and it won't be wrong in saying that after IITD, IIT Madras shines high in Bioprocess/Biochemical Engineering.
Biotech IITM

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur)
IIT Bomabay and IIT Kanpur share quite a comparative profile in research thrusts. Both the IITs are well known for producing world class Biomedical Engineers. The thrust on Molecular Scale research aimed at cancer therapeutics, Neurobiology of disorders and stress biology, Modelling and dynamic studies of chromosomes etc is very prevalent at IIT Kanpur. Apart from this, their focus is on Bioprocess and Bioremediation too, but it's not as developed and advanced as their expertise in Biomedical Sciences. BSBE IITK

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur)
IIT Kharagpur, like IIT Delhi, has rich interest and focus on Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering. Their work on Enzyme and Biofuels Technology, Bioenergy, Probiotics and Nutraceuticals, Environmental Biotechnology, Algal Biofuels and Bio-CCS, Biorefinery, Bioprocess Development Modeling & Optimization, Marine Biotechnology, Biohydrogen production processes etc is very well renowned and published in hundreds of research journals (IIT Kgp is rather famous for publications). Apart from the Biochemical Engg., they have good expertise and facilities in Cell based tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, Structural Biology and Protein Chemistry and Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.
Biotech. IIT Kgp

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati)
IIT Guwahati has a wide range of Biotechnical research thrusts, with key focus on molecular scale of developments. Their researches on Hormonal regulation of gene expression, Cell based tissue engineering, Biomaterials, Stem cells, Drug delivery systems, Calcium signaling, DNA repair, Gene Therapy, Expression Cloning (Mammalian Systems, Bionanotechnology, Protein Biochemistry and Biochemical Parasitology etc is well accredited. Their faculty profile in Biochemical Engineering & Modelling is very nice, but their expertise is brilliant in molecular research.
Biotech. IITG

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee)
IIT Roorkee's Department of Biotechnology is grouped into various research groups like Molecular Biophysics Group, Molecular Genetics Group , Reproductive Biology Group, Plant Biotechnology Group , Microbial Biotechnology Group, Molecular Biology & Proteomics Group etc. The core-thrust has again been molecular scale research here too. For some unknown reasons, most students are unaware of IIT Roorkee's Biotechnology expertise which dates back to 1980. Their biotechnology lab facilities are state of art, and research prospectives are bright there. Rather, IITR offers a wide range of expertise which makes them quite a flexible research hub.
Biotech IITR

So, this was a very brief overview of the research thrusts of top 7 IITs of India in the field of biotechnology. A specific detail on faculty, students & labs of these IITs may be had from the "Red Links" mentioned at the end of every IIT's detail.
Thanks
Sunil Nagpal
MS(Research) Scholar, IIT Delhi (Alumnus)
Advisor for the Biotech Students portal (BiotechStudents.com)
Computational Researcher in BioSciences at a leading MNC


Suggested Reads:
Top Biotech Companies | Top places to work
Indian Biotech Companies and Job Openings
Aiming a PhD in Top Grad School? | These are the Important Points to Consider
Careers in Biotechnology | A list of various Options
Biotechnology Competitive Exams in India
[+] 1 user Likes SunilNagpal's post
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#2
I am a third year biotech student and your thread will be really helpful Sir .
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#3
Hey Sunil,
I have cleared GATE 2015 with an AIR 52 in Biotechnology. Can you please tell me if it is a good option taking up chemical engineering for my post graduation. Keeping in mind that there are few job prospects after Biotechnology, will it be a sensible decision changing my stream? ?
Also can you please tell me if I am eligible for it.
Thanks a lot
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#4
(03-25-2015, 05:54 AM)Priankay Wrote: Hey Sunil,
I have cleared GATE 2015 with an AIR 52 in Biotechnology. Can you please tell me if it is a good option taking up chemical engineering for my post graduation. Keeping in mind that there are few job prospects after Biotechnology, will it be a sensible decision changing my stream? ?
Also can you please tell me if I am eligible for it.
Thanks a lot

Hello Priankay,

Congrats for the brilliant feat! Yes you can opt for chemical engineering, but I would suggest against it (because of your Biotech background). Major reason is that you might find it difficult to cope with the hard core mathematical aspects of the chemical engineering course. Only way out would be to pursue an MS® in Chemical Engineering and opting for a project that has inclination towards Biochemical (which is possible in IITD/IITM).

If you are concerned about your job, then I would suggest you to opt for IIT Bombay or NITIE Mumbai (MBA, through GATE). Both have good job prospects. IIT Delhi also has good job prospects but competition is tough (owing to limited number of core companies coming fot DBEB, IITD).

Best option for you is NUS. Go for direct PhD, get a stipend of nearly 1lakh rupees per month, get a good job after PhD, come back to India, become a Scientist/Manager.

My words of advice at this stage for you (considering a great performance in GATE) would be that, no matter which IIT (amongst IITD, IITB, IITK) you get selected into; if you remain active in your life at IITs (co-curriculars, placement cells, posters, magazines; and ofcourse CGPA above 9), you will easily fetch a good job. So, for now, you may focus on getting into your core field and grabbing a seat in best IIT or in NUS. Once you do it, focus on your life at the IIT/NUS.

As Robert Frost said:


The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.


Donot worry. All will be well!

You have performed extremely well till now. You will do it ahead as well!

All the best!

Sunil


 
Sunil Nagpal
MS(Research) Scholar, IIT Delhi (Alumnus)
Advisor for the Biotech Students portal (BiotechStudents.com)
Computational Researcher in BioSciences at a leading MNC


Suggested Reads:
Top Biotech Companies | Top places to work
Indian Biotech Companies and Job Openings
Aiming a PhD in Top Grad School? | These are the Important Points to Consider
Careers in Biotechnology | A list of various Options
Biotechnology Competitive Exams in India
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#5
Hey Sunil,
Thanks a ton for the reply.That was very encouraging Smile
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#6
Thank You Mr Sunil..

Sri
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#7
Hi,

My name is Sanya Ahmed (Mrs. Mazharul Haque, mother of a two year old boy). I am a Pakistani national, married to an Indian and residing in West Bengal on Long Term Visa (LTV) provided by the Govt. of India, since December 2013. I have already applied for Indian nationality.

In Pakistan I was enrolled in a joint Mphil/PhD (Molecular Medicine), which I could not continue as I had to travel to India after marriage. I cleared my coursework there and got my synopsis approved in first attempt. I received a band of 7.5/9 in IELTS and was planning to give GRE as these two were the requirements in my previous institution. My BSc Honours (3 year) and MSc with research (1 year) are in Biotechnology. I have also earned a 2 year taught masters in Bioethics (an NIH funded program in Pakistan) with a GPA 3.6/4. 

My Inquiry is regarding continuation of my education in India at IIT Kgp. Whether I have to be an Indian national to be eligible or I can pursue PhD here on my current status. Kindly provide me the details.

Thanks.
Sanya Ahmed.
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#8
(07-31-2016, 05:01 AM)SAN Wrote: Hi,

My name is Sanya Ahmed (Mrs. Mazharul Haque, mother of a two year old boy). I am a Pakistani national, married to an Indian and residing in West Bengal on Long Term Visa (LTV) provided by the Govt. of India, since December 2013. I have already applied for Indian nationality.

In Pakistan I was enrolled in a joint Mphil/PhD (Molecular Medicine), which I could not continue as I had to travel to India after marriage. I cleared my coursework there and got my synopsis approved in first attempt. I received a band of 7.5/9 in IELTS and was planning to give GRE as these two were the requirements in my previous institution. My BSc Honours (3 year) and MSc with research (1 year) are in Biotechnology. I have also earned a 2 year taught masters in Bioethics (an NIH funded program in Pakistan) with a GPA 3.6/4. 

My Inquiry is regarding continuation of my education in India at IIT Kgp. Whether I have to be an Indian national to be eligible or I can pursue PhD here on my current status. Kindly provide me the details.

Thanks.

Hello Mam,

Sorry for the delayed response.

You don't have to be an Indian National for pursuing PhD in any of the IIT. Till the time you don't get your citizenship, you can apply as a foreign national (you won't be eligible for the RAship / scholarship offered by institute in that case). But if your citizenship approval is expected soon, then you can wait and apply later (in that case you will definitely get a scholarship of INR ~32000 per month.


As a foreign national (and being a SAARC nation citizen as of now), you will have to pay a fee of US$2000 per annum. You can actually apply for (ICCR) or (SAARC Fellowship Scheme) scholarship as a foreign national (citizens of Pakistan are also considered in this scheme).

A full article of scholarships offered by govt of India to foreign nations is here: CLICK HERE

or go to this link: http://www.biotechnologyforums.com/threa...10751.html


I hope some of this information helps you out.

In case there is any other query, feel free to revert back.
Sunil Nagpal
MS(Research) Scholar, IIT Delhi (Alumnus)
Advisor for the Biotech Students portal (BiotechStudents.com)
Computational Researcher in BioSciences at a leading MNC


Suggested Reads:
Top Biotech Companies | Top places to work
Indian Biotech Companies and Job Openings
Aiming a PhD in Top Grad School? | These are the Important Points to Consider
Careers in Biotechnology | A list of various Options
Biotechnology Competitive Exams in India
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#9
Thanks for your reply. It was helpful.  As my last degree is 1 year M.Sc. Biotechology with research from University of Karachi, Pakistan, following are my queries for admission in IIT Kgp.


  1. What is the entrance criteria?
  2. How can I apply as a foreign national?
  3. Can I apply this year or have to wait for the next academic session?
  4. Is there any IIT test for admission? If yes then how and from where can I get the relevant material, prospectus, etc?
  5. Is the admission directly for PhD program or an MPhil/PhD combined? In either program, do I need to submit the synopsis at the time of admission/interview to the supervisor?
  6. Will I be given the option to select a supervisor?And should I begin drafting a synopsis, in order to get the field of my interest?
  7. What is the method to apply for a funded/sponsored research?

I want to mention that my previous topic in PhD was Oncology (Molecular Medicine). The topic was of my interest but time taking. I worked rigorously for two years till I got married. Now being a mother I intend to obtain a PhD in least possible duration. Therefore I intend to seek your sincere advice regarding PhD from IIT Kgp. Please suggest me the field of study in which IIT Kgp excels, so that I can opt for the topic in the same, and finish PhD in minimal duration.

Thanks.
Sanya Ahmed.
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#10
सर,
मेरा बच्चा इस समय 12वीं मे कामर्स लेकर पढ़ रहा है तथा आगे वह बी.टेक करना चाहता है इसलिए इस संबन्ध मुझे आपकी सहायता चाहिए मैं आगे उसे कौन से कॉलेज मे भेजूं। जब्कि घर पर कम्प्यूटर मे उसे बहुत अच्छी जानकारी है।

धन्यवाद सर
आप से उत्तर की आशा में ।
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