Academic Department
Biochemistry
Constituent Department under College of Agriculture
The Department of Biochemistry was established in 1986 and was renamed in 2025 from its former name, Department of Biochemistry and Agricultural Chemistry. The Department originated from the erstwhile Chemistry and Biochemistry Section, which was bifurcated from the Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science under the Faculty of Agriculture during 1982–83. Since its inception, the Department has been committed to excellence in teaching, research, and capacity building in agricultural biochemistry. Over the years, it has contributed to the development of skilled human resources and advancement of biochemical research addressing contemporary challenges in agriculture, food, nutrition, and allied sciences.
The Department functions with the following major mandates:
- To impart quality education and develop expertise in agricultural biochemistry among students and researchers.
- To undertake basic and applied biochemical research aimed at addressing emerging challenges in agriculture, food, nutrition, and allied areas.
- To provide hands-on training and capacity building in modern biochemical tools, techniques, and analytical approaches for students, researchers, and agricultural scientists.
The Department has established itself as a leading centre for teaching, research, and human resource development in North East India. It provides quality education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels while promoting interdisciplinary research to address emerging challenges in agriculture, food and nutrition.
Academic programmes
At the undergraduate level, the Department offers Biochemistry courses for B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Science, B.Sc. (Hons.) Sericulture and B.Sc. (Hons.) Food, Nutrition and Dietetics students. The Department also offered Biochemistry courses to the B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture programme until 2023, after which it is discontinued following the relocation of the College of Horticulture to Nalbari. In addition, it offers elective Biochemistry courses under the B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture curriculum, thereby strengthening the biochemical foundation of students from diverse agricultural disciplines. At the postgraduate level, the Department contributes to multidisciplinary teaching through collaboration with the Departments of Agricultural Biotechnology, Horticulture, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Pathology, Crop Physiology, Tea Husbandry and Technology, Food Science and Technology Programme of College of Agriculture and Food and Nutrition of College of Community Science. These collaborations strengthen the application of Biochemistry in crop improvement, food quality and sustainable agricultural production. Under the IDEA (Innovation, Development, Entrepreneurship and Application) Programme, M.Sc. students are encouraged to participate in industrial training, collaborative research projects, hands-on learning, skill development programmes, and expert interactions, thereby strengthening industry–academia linkages.
In 2019, the Department introduced a bridge-course-based admission pathway, alongside the existing admission system, enabling graduates from general science disciplines to pursue the M.Sc. programme.The initiative has attracted many students and significantly broadened access to higher education. Building upon this success, a similar admission pathway with no preparatory course works, has been introduced for admission to the Ph.D. programme from the academic session 2026–27, promoting interdisciplinary research and expanding opportunities for aspiring scholars. The Department emphasizes continuous faculty development by encouraging regular participation in faculty development programmes, training workshops, seminars, conferences, and other capacity-building initiatives to enhance teaching, research, and professional competencies. The Department extends continuous laboratory support to government and private organizations while facilitating internship programmes for undergraduate and postgraduate students in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP).
Since its establishment in 1986, the Department has produced 107 M.Sc. graduates and 15 Ph.D scholars (up to 2025). Its alumni are serving as scientists, academicians, researchers, and government officers in universities, research institutions, and public sector organizations across India.Research excellenceThe Department has developed strong research expertise in Agricultural Biochemistry, with special emphasis on the rich plant biodiversity of North East India. Its research activities integrate fundamental biochemical studies with applied research to improve crop productivity, nutritional quality, value addition, and sustainable agricultural development. The Department has secured and successfully implemented several externally funded research projects supported by funding agencies such as ICAR, DBT, DST, and other national organizations. The Department provides analytical services to research projects across various disciplines and serves the farming community of Assam through the analysis of agricultural samples, diagnostic services, and extension activities.
The major thrust areas of research include:
- Biochemical evaluation of crop germplasm of North East India for nutritional, functional, and quality traits to support crop improvement and conservation.
- Biochemical characterization of economically important plant species for identification and utilization of valuable biomolecules.
- Exploration, isolation, and characterization of novel phytochemicals with nutritional, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and industrial significance.
- Understanding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, for developing climate-resilient crop varieties.
- Post-harvest biochemistry, quality evaluation, shelf-life enhancement, and development of functional and value-added agricultural products.
The Department has generated valuable baseline information on indigenous crop germplasm and underutilized plant resources of North East India, contributing to crop improvement, nutritional enhancement, and biodiversity conservation. Research outcomes have been published in reputed national and international journals, presented at scientific conferences, and supported through collaborative and externally funded research projects.
With experienced faculty, strong academic programmes, interdisciplinary collaborations, and a region-specific research focus, the Department is steadily progressing towards becoming a Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Biochemistry. It continues to contribute to agricultural innovation, food and nutritional security, and the sustainable utilization of the rich bioresources of North East India.
| # | Course No. | Course Title | Credit | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biochem(Elect)-414 | Food Science and Nutrition | 4 (3+1) | |
| 2 | Biochem-323 * | Essentials of Plant Biochemistry | 3 (2+1) | |
| 3 | BSH(BAC)-313 (For Se * | Essentials of Plant Biochemistry | 3 (2+1) |
* indicates compulsory courses.
| # | Course No. | Course Title | Credit | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIO-101 (Bridge cour | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 (2+1) | |
| 2 | BIO-102 (Bridge cour | Plant Biochemistry | 2 (2+0) | |
| 3 | BIOCHEM-501 * | BASIC BIOCHEMISTRY | 4 (3+1) | |
| 4 | BIOCHEM-502 * | INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM | 3 (3+0) | |
| 5 | BIOCHEM-503 * | ENZYMOLOGY | 3 (2+1) | |
| 6 | BIOCHEM-504 | MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | 3 (2+1) | |
| 7 | BIOCHEM-505 * | TECHNIQUES IN BIOCHEMISTRY | 4 (2+2) | |
| 8 | BIOCHEM-506 | IMMUNOCHEMISTRY | 3 (2+1) | |
| 9 | BIOCHEM-507 | PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY | 3 (2+1) | |
| 10 | BIOCHEM-509 | NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY | 3 (2+1) | |
| 11 | BIOCHEM-510 | NITROGEN AND SULPHUR METABOLISM | 3 (2+1) | |
| 12 | BIOCHEM-511 | BIOCHEMISTRY ON XENOBIOTICS | 2 (2+0) |
* indicates compulsory courses.
| # | Course No. | Course Title | Credit | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIOCHEM 602 | ADVANCED MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | 3 (3+0) | |
| 2 | BIOCHEM 603 | BIOCHEMISTRY OF BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC STRESSES | 3 (3+0) | |
| 3 | BIOCHEM-601 * | ADVANCED ENZYMOLOGY | 3 (2+1) | |
| 4 | BIOCHEM-604 | FRONTIER TOPICS IN BIOCHEMISTRY | 2 (2+0) | — |
| 5 | BIOCHEM-604 | FRONTIER TOPICS IN BIOCHEMISTRY | 2 (2+0) | |
| 6 | BIOCHEM-605 | CONCEPTS AND APPLICATION OF OMICS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE | 3 (3+0) | |
| 7 | BIOCHEM-606 | BIOMEMBRANES | 2 (2+0) | |
| 8 | BIOCHEM-607 * | APPLICATION OF TECHNIQUES IN BIOCHEMISTRY | 3 (1+2) |
* indicates compulsory courses.
Research & Extension Projects
27 Total Projects
Ongoing Projects (3)
Bio-evaluation, identification quantification of bio-active compounds and development of bio-pesticides from ethno-medicinal plant extracts against major insect pests of vegetable crops
Development of high-yielding, non-lodging, and biotic-resistant varieties of black scented rice of Manipur and Assam through biotechnological intervention (Scented Rice Group 4 - Phase II)
Genetic improvement of chickpea using gene technology for resistance to insect pests
Completed Projects (24)
Functional food for human consumption from rice bran
Development of plant based insecticide formulation for management of stored grain pests.
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Sunayana Rathi)
Application of the gut microbes of the gut microbes of greater Wax moth (Galleria mellonella) as efficient plastic polymer degraders efficient plastic polymer degrader
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ranjan Kandali)
Bioprospecting of wild edible and cultivated mushroom flora of Assam for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ranjan Kandali)
Phytochemical characterization and nutritional profiling of germplasm diversity of Citrus species existing in North East Region
Augmentation of income of small tea growers of Assam through production, processing and marketing of speciality tea.
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Priyanka Das)
Morpho-physiological, bio-chemical and genotypic evaluation of Upendra Rice
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Sunayana Rathi)
Standardization of processing and production of a consumable beverage from mulberry leaves and blending with green tea.( Collaborative Programmes with CSB and TTRI, Jorhat)
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Priyanka Das)
Management of low temperature and soil moisture deficit stress in banana grown in North Eastern India
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ananta Madhab Baruah)
“Post-harvest loss assessment and SOPs of post-harvest management of some important medicinal plants of Assam”
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Priyanka Das)
Network Project, on Transgenics in Crops (NPTC), Sub Project: ICAR–NPTC-3088
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ananta Madhab Baruah)
Occurrence of Major Pests and their Management in Selected Medicinal Plants, Impact of Pest Damage of the Active Fraction
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ananta Madhab Baruah)
“Biochemical Study on indigenous colored rice varieties grown in Assam.” (DBT RA program, for which I was supervisor)
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Priyanka Das)
Mapping of genes for grain quality in Assam rice with particular reference to amylose
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Sunayana Rathi)
Root-specific Reduction of Cytokinin to enhance Root Biomass and Seed Yield in Rapeseed (Brassica camprestris)
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ananta Madhab Baruah)
Studies on viability, germination pattern, dormancy, seed health and seed storability in medicinal plants
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ranjan Kandali)
In Vitro and Ex Situ Conservation, Eco Restoration and Genetic Pro-filling for selection of Elite Genotypes of Threatened Medicinal Plants of North East India
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ananta Madhab Baruah)
“Development of entrepreneurship among back-ward population of tapioca growing areas of Assam through post harvest management of tapioca.”
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Priyanka Das)
Biotech Intervention on Selected Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) of NER for their Effective Utilization
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ananta Madhab Baruah)
Identification of molecular marker linked to the gene for submergence tolerance in rice
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Samindra Baishya)
Sulphur Fertilization for Increased yield and quality of Rapeseed- Rice in Assam
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ananta Madhab Baruah)
Biochemical Characterization of Traditional Medicinal Plants used against Jaundice caused by Hepatitis virus
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ananta Madhab Baruah)
Evaluation of On Farm Storage Methods of Seed Potatoes in Assam
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ranjan Kandali)
All India Coordinated Research Project on Weed Control
(PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Ranjan Kandali)
Department Photo Gallery
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