Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition

National Science Day

The Department of Life Sciences, BVC celebrated National Science day-2024 on 28th February, 2024. The theme of the programme was “INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES FOR VIKSIT BHARAT”. The celebrations started with an inaugural programme, the principal Dr.GSVRK Choudhary and heads of all Life Science Departments interacted with the students and explained to them the importance of National Science Day. The Chief Guest for the inaugural programme, Dr.Rama Krishna Kancha, Director,Prof.G.M Reddy’s Centre for Plant Molecular Biology, Osmania University, Hyderabad delivered the keynote address where he stressed on the importance and significance of Science in daily life. He also elaborated on how science has improved human health by citing the examples of recombinant insulin and thyroid treatment. The programme had a participation of about 150 students. Two events; JAM-Just A Minute and Essay writing competitions for students were conducted post inaugural. 17 students participated in JAM which was judged by Dr. K. Anuradha, Head, Department of Microbiology and Dr.A.Sai Padma, Head, Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition. The topic for Essay writing competition was “Synergizing AI with Indigenous Technologies for Sustainable Development in Viksit Bharat”.15 students participated in the competition which was judged by Dr. B. Kalpana, Head, and Department of Genetics & Biotechnology.Mrs. Mary Nygi Kurian, Head, Department of Chemistry. In the afternoon session, e-Poster competition was conducted department-wise. The students presented e-poster on the project work carried out by them in the college. 7 teams participated from Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition. 6 teams participated from the Department of Microbiology.7 teams participated from the Department of Chemistry.13 teams participated from the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology. The e-posters were judged by the Life Sciences PG faculty members. About 120 students of Semester VI of UG Life Sciences participated in the e-poster competition. The National Science Day celebration provided an excellent platform for students to express their innovative ideas and creativity in all the areas of Life Sciences.

One Day Training on “Cell Culture Technology”

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition organized a one-day training program on “Cell Culture Technology” in association with Central Facilities for Research and Development, Osmania University on 17th February, 2024 under DBT Star College Scheme. Total of 10 studentsthat includes B. Sc III year MBBCC and B. Sc II year BCNDC attended the training program.The aim of this program was to provide the undergraduate students with the basic knowledge on cell culture methods, preservation and maintenance of cultures. By learning these, students would be able to apply these principles and concepts during their higher studies or in research. The first session was by Prof. Sandeepta, Director, CFRD, OU, briefed about the facilities available at CFRD. Later,she presented the basics of cell culture, types of cultures, media composition with its importance, identification of viable cells, uses of cell cultures and caution and precautions to maintain aseptic environment while performing cell culture. The second session was on the topic “Apoptosis Cancer Cell Signalling- Molecular Tools and Methods” by Dr. Raghu Gogada, Chief Scientific Officer, Scigene Bio Pvt Ltd, M2 – Technology Hub, IDA Uppal, Nacharam, Hyderabad. He explained about the mechanism of apoptosis, types of cell death, different types of cell lines that can be used to elucidate the caspase dependent intrinsic pathway of apoptosis (Mitochondria mediated). The practical training session was taken by Mr. Ramesh, Research Scholar, Dept of Microbiology, OU. He briefed about the good lab practices to be followed while performing cell culture techniques. He also stressed the importance of maintaining aseptic condition during each step of culturing. Students were explained about suspension and monolayer cultures, observed the cultured cells under inverted microscope, steps to perform trypsinization of monolayer cells, checked the viability of cells using trypan blue. Students had the opportunity to view the viable cells under inverted microscope. It was a rewarding experience to students as it provided an enriching experience and opportunity in learning and exploring the new field of animal cell culture technology

Guest Lecture

The department of Biochemistry & Nutrition, Bhavan's Vivekananda College, has organized a webinar on the topic 'Career Panorama and Skill Enhancement for Life Sciences' on 9th February 2024 by Dr. Agatha Betsy, Nutrition Manager, Marico ltd, Mumbai. The webinar was organized to create awareness on career prospects and skills required during undergraduate or postgraduate life science courses to achieve their career goals. Dr. Agatha Betsy has given a detailed insight on her work as a nutrition manager at Marico ltd. She spoke about the various governmental and private stakeholders involved during product development and finalization and how to implement research knowledge towards product advertisement to increase product acceptability. She has also emphasized that by taking part and supporting various events like World Heart Day, we can construct a nutritionally responsible community. Overall, the students had an enriching experience of knowledge of food industry and its functioning. A total of 101 students from B.Sc. BCNDC, MNDC, MGC, MBiC and M.Sc, Biochemistry had joined for the Webinar.

Training Program on “Bioanalytical Techniques”

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition organized a training program on “Bioanalytical Techniques” under DBT Star College Scheme on 7th February, 2024 in association with Accu Analyticals, Nacharam, Hyderabad. A Total of 18 students of B. Sc III year MBBCC and B. Sc II year BCNDC participated in the training program. The training began with a brief introduction on the importance and applications of High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR) and Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS) by Mr. Shekhar Reddy, Senior Scientist, ACCU Analytical. Students were divided into four groups and had the opportunity to understand the working principle and applications of these sophisticated equipments. In the NMR division, students had the opportunity to load the NMR tubes in to the equipment. They also explained how to interpret the NMR peaks that helps to elucidate the structural pattern in the test compound. In the Gas Chromatography (GC) division, intricate principle on separation and analysis of volatile compounds within complex mixtures was explained. Students had the firsthand view of the automated sample injection process and were introduced to advanced data processing software, amplifying their understanding on GC method. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) division, renowned for its specialization in separating and analyzing non-volatile compounds with exceptional sensitivity and resolution. The resource person elucidated the fundamental principles of HPLC, offering insights into its operation under various laws. Furthermore, they provided a succinct overview of the LCMS equipment, few students prepared the sample and loaded in to the sample port. Among them, they loaded caffeine, and through careful observation of the peaks, they discerned its purity and acquired knowledge on how to interpret its molecular weight. Students had an enriching learning experience that provides a platform for them to apply these advanced techniques during their higher studies or in research career.

Visit to Anganwadi

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition has organized a visit to a Anganwadi,located at Nirmal Nagar, Sainikpuri,Secunderabadfor the students of MBNDC III yr as a part of their practical curriculum on 06-02-2024.Students calculated BMI using height and weight measurements of anganwadii children and plotted the graphs to check the growth pattern of the children and assess their nutritional status. The results are informed to anganvadi staff to take appropriate measures

Hands on training in Bioinformatics and Bioanalytical techniques

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition successfully organized hands-on training focused on Bioinformatics and Bioanalytical Techniques under the DBT Star College scheme forB.Sc II year BCNDC and B.Sc III year MBBCC students from 2-12-2023 to 10-02-2024(30 hrs). This training session aimed toenhance practical skills and knowledge among students in these critical areas of biological sciencesand create employment opportunities in pharmaceutical industries and biotech labs.A Total of 18 students from B. Sc III year MBBCC and B. Sc II year BCNDC participated in the training program with two resource persons Dr. S. Vanitha, Assistant Professor and Dr. Kamala Golla, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition. The training began with a brief introduction to the importance and applications of bioinformatics and bioanalytical techniques by Dr. A.Sai Padma, Head, Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition. Students were trained to utilize different databases and tools for retrieving biological data like genes and proteins relevant to research and analysis.Practical sessions were conducted on sequence alignment techniques using onlinetool,Clustal Omega to align DNA and protein sequences. Techniques for predicting protein structures using computational methods were taught, emphasizing their importance in functional analysis. Hands-on training was provided on using Chemsketch software for drawing chemical structures, crucial for molecular biology and biochemistry research. Students have conducted practical session on restriction enzyme digestion techniques, essential for molecular cloning and genetic engineering.Students learned the technique of ion exchange chromatography in separating and purifying biomolecules based on charge differences. Training sessions also covered gel filtration chromatography technique for size-based separation of biomolecules. Students also learned the principles, applications with deminestration of High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR) and Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS) by Mr. Shekhar Reddy, Senior Scientist, ACCU Analytical.A few students prepared the sample and loaded in to the sample port. Among them, they loaded caffeine, and through careful observation of the peaks, they discerned its purity and acquired knowledge on how to interpret its molecular weight. The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition through these training sessions, has significantly contributed to the skill development of students which is under the DBT Star College Scheme.

Visit to Indian Immunologicals Limited

The students of M.Sc Biochemistry final year and B.Sc(MbBbC) final year were taken on a field visit to Indian Immunologicals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, on 29th January,2024. The students were first given an overview of the organisation by Dr. Surya Prasad, scientist at Indian Immunologicals. He explained students the wide range of vaccines like RAKSHA brand of vaccines for cattle and other livestock and ABHAYA brand of vaccines for humans, made by Indian Immunologicals. He also highlighted the production of indigenous vaccines for the foot & mouth disease (FMD) in cattle. He also explained its contribution to society by providing vaccines at subsidized prices to farmers. Students were made aware of significance of quality control and quality assurance measures need to be taken to ensure the quality of vaccines. The students were also explained about the employment opportunities in the areas of Quality control, Quality assurance as well as R & D. The students were shown different facilities available at the plant like cold storage facilities, RO water plant, engineering facilities and the packaging facilities of the organisation. The students and staff found the visit informative and beneficial.

Food Storm

Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition has organized an event “Food Storm” on 24th January, 2024 as the year 2023 was declared as the International Year of Millets by United Nations General Assembly. Recipe making event using millet was organized witheach team having four participants with three students and one faculty.Information of all the four teams was uploaded to AMRUT “AICTE- Millet Recipe Unleashing Talent” portal. A total four teams have participated in this competition from the college.

Dietetics Day

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition organized a Poster Presentation on the occasion of “Dietetics Day” on 10th January, 2024. The theme of Dietetics Day- 24 is “Role of Dietitians and Nutritionists in Public Health Issues”. In regards to this, a poster presentation by the students of Nutrition and Dietetics was organized with a theme of “Facts of Processed Foods”. The nutrient content of various processed foods, different ingredients which are included in their processing, and strategies of marketing were highlighted of various processed food products. Products like chocolates, chips, cookies, processed nuts, fruit juices, whole wheat products, etc. were included. The various emulsifiers added to the products were also showcased. Overall, there was an encouraging response from faculty and students. A total number of 70 participants have gained information regarding the facts of processed foods.

Guest lecture

A guest lecture delivered by Dr.MuraliDharanBashyam, Staff Scientist and Chief, Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad on “Challenging the colorectal cancer Dogma: novel discoveries from two decades of research on Indian patients” was organized by the Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition for undergraduate and postgraduate students of biochemistry & Nutrition under the DBT Star College Scheme on 19th December 2023.

Training programme

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition in collaboration with Global Medical Education and Research Foundation organized a 3- day Skill Enhancement Workshop on “Conventional and RT PCR” under DBT Star College Scheme from 12th to 14th December, 2023. A total of 20 students from B. Sc III year MBBCC and B. Sc II year BCNDC participated in the program. The aim of this workshop was to enhance the students' practical skills on molecular techniques. This provides a platform to pursue their career in life sciences and also an opportunity to be placed in research or in diagnostic labs.

Online Guest lecture

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition organised an online webinar by Dr.G.Bhanuprakash Reddy, Scientist G, Head, Department of Biochemistry& Nutrition on “ Novel Bioactive compounds for Diabetes complications” on 20th November,2023

Diabetes Day

The department of Biochemistry & Nutrition, Bhavan’s Vivekananda College, has organized a webinar to create awareness on latest updates on diabetes by celebrating the “Diabetes Day” on 20th November, 2023. An online lecture on “Novel Bioactive Compounds for Diabetes complications” by Dr. G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, Scientist G, Head, Biochemistry, ICMR-NIN Tarnaka, Hyderabad was organized. Sir has given a detailed insight on the various bioactive compounds, invitro studies on antiglycating agents and also focused on how the complications of diabetes can be controlled using phytochemicals and active nanoparticles of functional foods. He has also emphasised on the usage of common foods like amla, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon which can control the complications caused by diabetes. Overall, the students had an enriching experience of knowledge of current research in the field of diabetes.

Outreach Programme

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition has organized an outreach programme “Orientation on practical aspects of Biochemistry and Allied subjects”on 17th &18th November,2023 for the Intermediate IInd Yr students of Sri Aurobindo Junior college and 11th class students of Bhavans’ Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad. On 17th Nov,2023, students (47nos) from SriAurobindo Junior college were explained about the objectives of the outreach program by Dr.A.SaiPadma, Head, Dept of Biochemistry & Nutrition. The students were then demonstrated six experiments (Restriction digestion of DNA, separation of proteins by SDS-PAGE, Ouchterlony double diffusion, Isolation of DNA, Separation of plant pigments by thin layer chromatography, and blood grouping) by the UG and PG students of the department under the guidance of faculty members. The students took active part in all the experiments. On the 18th of November, class 11students of Bhavan’s Sr Ramakrishna Vidyalaya(20 nos) Sainikpuri, Secunderabad visited the department and were explained and given demonstration of the above experiments. The outreach programme was well received by the students as well as by the accompanying faculty. After the programme, f eed back was collected from all the students. The programe was well received by all.

Visit to IICT

The Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition has organized a visit to IICT, Hyderabad to attend a seminar on Ayurveda day celebration on 8-11-2023. The theme of the ayurveda day was “Ayurveda for one health”. The M.Sc Biochemistry third semester students along with faculty attended the program. The chief Guest of the program was Dr.Ramachandra, Naturopathy, Siddhartha Yoga Vidyalayam, Khammam; who discussed about various life style diseases and the significance of ayurveda in the cure for those diseases. He also emphasized on the importance of scientific research in formulating various ayurvedic medicines. The second speaker of the conference was Padmashri Dr.M.A.Waheed who focused on the role of Ayush medicines for various diseases. Dr. Goli Penchala Prasad, from National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage was the third speaker, who explained about Vriksha ayurveda and Pashu ayurveda and their role for enrichment of ecosystem. Dr. K.Nagaiah, Chief scientist, IICT Hyderabad was also one of the invited speaker, who detailed about various natural products and their isolation methods. Thereafter, students visited various labs in the IICT. The research works and the various instruments in each lab were explained well to the students by the faculty and research scholars. The visit was useful and students expressed their satisfaction.

“Alumni interaction” as a part of 5day induction programme for UG BINDC 2023-26 batch.

As a part of Five-day UG Induction programme, the Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition organized an alumni interaction with the 2023- 26 batch of BCNDC students on 23rd June, 2023. Five alumni students, Mr. L. Vighnesh, (2015- 18), Research scholar, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Mr. V. Sreekar (2015 – 18 & 2018-20 batch), Sr. Officer Indian Immunological Pvt Ltd, Hyd, Mr. M. Rohit Kumar (2015 – 18 & 2018-20 batch), Junior Research Analyst (Free lancer) Excelra Knowledge Solutions Pvt Ltd, Uppal, Hyderabad, Ms. CH. Deepthi, (2015 – 18 & 2018-20 batch) Microbiologist (QC-Biochemicals) Avra Synthesis Pvt. Ltd, Nacharam Hyderabad and Ms Pranati R Mulik (2020- 23), Business, Start-up The Mood Food Lab, were invited for the career guidance to the freshers.Alumni students have explained about the opportunities available in various sectors of industries and also highlighted the importance of higher studies. All the first-year students very actively interacted with alumni.