Department · Chemical foundations of life sciences
Department of Biochemistry
Biochemical science with research orientation and postgraduate laboratory training.
- Faculty listed
- 3
- Programmes
- 2
- M.Sc. credits
- 88
About the department
About Biochemistry
Biochemistry is one of the oldest of the departments. It was incepted in the early 1940s under the leadership of Prof. Kamala Sohonie (first Indian lady Ph.D. in science). Since then the department has seen only the growth and has produced great many biochemists, to name few, Prof. N. G. Magar, Prof. A. N. Inamdar, Prof. Bapat etc.
Many of the alumni of this department are well established industrialists, or hold the higher posts in the highly reputed industries/firms; in India as well as abroad.
Presently the department has the student oriented and NEP implemented curriculum running. Dept. has very good research and high instrumentation facilities. All the full time faculties of the dept. are Ph.D. guides, in various subjects.
From the Head of Department
Message from the Head
Dear prospective students,
I extend a warm invitation to all passionate individuals seeking to delve into the dynamic realm of biochemistry. Our M.Sc. Biochemistry course offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to nurture scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and hands-on laboratory skills. Through cutting-edge research projects and expert guidance from our distinguished faculty, our students embark on a journey of discovery and innovation.
Join us in unraveling the mysteries of life at one of India's premier institutions. We have a task at our hands of producing the problem solvers, not just in biochemistry but for entire life sciences.
Together, let us shape the future of biochemistry and make meaningful contributions to scientific knowledge and societal well-being.
People
Faculty
As listed in the 2025–26 department brochure. Designations and qualifications appear only where the brochure prints them.
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Prof. Manohar V. Padul
Professor & Head
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Dr. S. B. Jadhav
Assistant Professor
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Dr. Utkarsha M. Lekhak
Assistant Professor
Study
Programmes & eligibility
Ph.D. Biochemistry
Faculty are also Ph.D. guides for the subjects Microbiology, Biotechnology and Environmental Science.
Fees, seats and details →Eligibility
- B.Sc. with min. 50% marks with following subject criteria: B.Sc. in any life sciences related subjects.
- OR B.Sc. with 3 units of Chemistry or Biochemistry and 3 units of any other life science related subjects; Chemistry or Biochemistry is must at S.Y.B.Sc.
NEP 2020
Curriculum & credit distribution
Transcribed from the 2025–26 brochure. Totals are calculated from the course rows; where the brochure prints a different figure it is shown beside the total.
| Code | Course | Type | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester I | |||
| DSC-1 (MSBCDC101) | DSC-1 (MSBCDC101) Biomolecules | Major (mandatory) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| DSC-2 (MSBCDC102) | DSC-2 (MSBCDC102) Cell biology, Microbiology and Virology | Major (mandatory) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| DSE-1 (MSBCDE101 / MSBCDE102) | DSE-1 (MSBCDE101 / MSBCDE102) DSE-1 (elective) | Major (elective) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| RM (MSBCRM101) | RM (MSBCRM101) Research Methodology | Minor | 4 |
| Semester I total Brochure prints 26 — see note below | 22 | ||
| Semester II | |||
| DSC-3 (MSBCDC201) | DSC-3 (MSBCDC201) Enzymology and Analytical techniques | Major (mandatory) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| DSC-4 (MSBCDC202) | DSC-4 (MSBCDC202) Molecular Biology | Major (mandatory) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| DSE-2 (MSBCDE201 / MSBCDE202) | DSE-2 (MSBCDE201 / MSBCDE202) DSE-2 (elective) | Major (elective) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| OJT/FP (MSBCOJ201) | OJT/FP (MSBCOJ201) OJT/FP | OJT / Field project | 4 (0 + 4) |
| Semester II total Brochure prints 26 — see note below | 22 | ||
| Semester III | |||
| DSC-5 (MSBCDC301) | DSC-5 (MSBCDC301) Immunology and Clinical biochemistry | Major (mandatory) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| DSC-6 (MSBCDC302) | DSC-6 (MSBCDC302) Metabolism | Major (mandatory) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| DSE-3 (MSBCDE301 / MSBCDE302) | DSE-3 (MSBCDE301 / MSBCDE302) DSE-3 (elective) | Major (elective) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| RP (MSBCRP301) | RP (MSBCRP301) Research Project | Research project | 4 (0 + 4) |
| Semester III total Brochure prints 26 — see note below | 22 | ||
| Semester IV | |||
| DSC-7 (MSBCDC401) | DSC-7 (MSBCDC401) Genetic Engineering | Major (mandatory) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| DSC-8 (MSBCDC402) | DSC-8 (MSBCDC402) Neurochemistry, Cancer Biology, Stem Cells | Major (mandatory) | 4 |
| DSE-4 (MSBCDE401 / MSBCDE402) | DSE-4 (MSBCDE401 / MSBCDE402) DSE-4 (elective) | Major (elective) | 6 (4 + 2) |
| RP (MSBCRP401) | RP (MSBCRP401) Research Project | Research project | 6 (0 + 6) |
| Semester IV total Brochure prints 26 — see note below | 22 | ||
| Programme total | 88 | ||
- Workload (hours) printed per semester: I — 20 theory + 24 practical = 44; II, III and IV — 16 theory + 40 practical = 56.
- Each DSE row lists two alternative courses (4 theory credits each) sharing one 2-credit practical; the row is counted once here (6 credits).
- The printed semester totals (26 credits each) add the theory credits of both DSE alternatives; counting the elective once gives 22 credits per semester (88 for the programme). No programme total is printed.
Facilities
Laboratories
- Two instrumentation rooms
- Dedicated research lab
- Separate lab for M.Sc. students
- Computer lab
- Departmental library (more than 100 books)
Facilities
Instrumentation
- UV-Vis spectrophotometer
- Multimode plate reader
- Horizontal and vertical electrophoresis units
- Refrigerated centrifuge
- Laboratory centrifuge
- Ultracentrifuge
- -20 °C and -80 °C deep freezers
- Bead beater
- Bath sonicator
- Probe sonicator
- Lyophilizer
- Glass homogenizer
- Lab scale fermenter
- HPLC
- Ultrafiltration unit
- Automated cell counter
- Autoclave
Governance
Board of Studies
- Dr. Manohar V. Padul Associate Professor Institute of Science, Dr. Homi Bhabha State University
- Dr. Rupendra S. Jadhav Associate Professor (Microbiology) Institute of Science, Dr. Homi Bhabha State University
- Dr. Shekhar B. Jadhav Assistant Professor Institute of Science, Dr. Homi Bhabha State University
- Dr. Utkarsha M. Lekhak Assistant Professor Institute of Science, Dr. Homi Bhabha State University
- Dr. Ashish S. Uzgare Vice Principal Wilson College, Mumbai (University of Mumbai)
- Dr. Deepali Kothekar Head, Dept. of Biochemistry SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sion West, Mumbai (University of Mumbai)
- Prof. Kisan M. Kodam Professor Biochemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
- Dr. Suresh P. Kamble In-charge Director Centre for Biotechnology, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, Ahmednagar
- Prof. Sanjay P. Govindwar Professor Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
- Dr. Satish Kalme CEO ComofiMedtech, Bangalore
- Dr. Muftedar A. Patel Group Leader New Drug Discovery Research, Wockhardt, Aurangabad
- Dr. Mohan P. Bhagwat Scientific Advisor Lab India Private Limited, Mumbai
- Dr. Ashok P. Giri Senior Scientist Biochemical Sciences Division, NCL, Pune
Department life
Events, activities & careers
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Guest lectures, cultural and sports activities
Dept. organizes various academics oriented extracurricular activities throughout the year. Every year 2–3 guest lectures are organized to give students the exposure to the renowned personalities of different domains including research, industries, and academics etc. Students are always encouraged to participate in the cultural & sports (which spans total of 8–9 days) and any other academic activities that are conducted in the Institute annually. Dr. Shekhar Jadhav is the co-ordinator of both of these tasks.
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WenYan Scholarship awarded to Ms. Priti Rajendra Singh
Our M.Sc. Part II Biochemistry student Ms. Priti Rajendra Singh was awarded the WenYan Scholarship by Pune Knowledge Cluster for her Master’s project — Rs. 15,000/- per month for a period of six months. Mentor: Dr. Utkarsha Lekhak.
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18–21 September 20238th Asia-Pacific Chromosome Colloquium (APCC8)
Presentation of research work by Dr. Utkarsha Manoj Lekhak at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey.
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27 and 28 December 2023West Zone Anveshan competition by AIU
Presentation of research work by Ms. Sana Jalili at Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Internships, placements & careers
- Job opportunities: lectureship; in pathology labs as technicians; in pharma and allied industries in quality control and R&D departments; in the food industry; FSSAI, FDA and forensic laboratories as chemical analyzers.
- Biochemists, project assistants, associates and research interns in national laboratories.
- Higher studies: Ph.D.
- Internships: Dept. achieves 100% OJT (on job training) opportunities or field projects.
Get in touch
Department contact
- Admissions Admission enquiries biochemistry@iscm.ac.in
- Prof. Manohar Padul HoD manohar@iscm.ac.in 07588522298
- Dr. S. B. Jadhav Student Co-ordinator jadhav.biochem@gmail.com 09665048338
- Dr. Utkarsha Lekhak Faculty Utkarsha@iscm.ac.in 09765025500
Source: Department of Biochemistry brochure 2025–26 (15 pages). Brochure details may change; confirm admission rules with the Institute.