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School of Life Sciences

Department of Microbiology

Microbiology, the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa and viruses, plays an enormous role in many areas of society and our daily life. From the study of emerging infectious diseases to biotechnology, microbiology plays a vital role in basic and applied science. They constitute vast potential resources in varied areas such as food, feed, fuel, mariculture, biofertilizer, pharmaceuticals, pigments, enzymes, besides combating pollution. There are abundant career opportunities in microbiology, an outstanding field for students interested to become professionals.

The Department of Microbiology emerged from the parent Department of Botany during 1992. In addition to the initial establishment of Microbiology department Prof. G. Subramanian (former head) has also established National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria (NFMC) (sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India), a unique facility dedicated to marine cyanobacterial research which received international recognition. A post graduate course on Microbiology was started jointly with NFMC during 1994.

Since June 2007, the present Department of Microbiology has been bifurcated into a separate department and M.Phil (Full Time) course was started in the same year. Within a short span of one year and with the parental care and guidance of our Hon'ble Vice Chancellor Dr. M. Ponnavaiko and our beloved Registrar Dr.V. Radhakrishnan, the department has procured basic instrumentation facilities from the University funds for successfully running the M.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D. courses. All the faculties in the department are totally committed to provide highest quality of education at Post-graduate and Research levels and they are well recognized for their research contributions at National and International Levels. They have received project grants of around Rs. 1.6 crores from various government funding agencies such as DOD (MoES), DBT, DST, ICMR, CSIR, UGC, IFS and INSA. With respect to service, the faculty has an exemplary record of participation in National & International organization, editing professional journals and reviewing grant proposals from regional and national organizations.