Department of Environmental Biotechnology

Research

The main research focus of the Department of Environmental Biotechnology is to identify the polluted and eco-sensitive zones using Ecotoxicogenomics approach, Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS and to provide potential solution through novel microbes, receptor based pesticides etc. The focus is also made on bioremediation, waste utilization and drinking water treatment. The faculty members of the Environmental Biotechnology Department have diverse research interests focused on assessing, monitoring and developing suitable methodologies to ensure sustainable development of the environment. Specific research interests include:

  • Assessment and monitoring of Emerging Pollutants
  • Development of novel techniques through Bio-spatial Technology ensuring sustainability
  • Bioremediation of Organic and Inorganic pollutants
  • Phytochemical profiling of Medicinal plants
  • Chemical Ecology involving the role of Endocrine Disruptors and Modulators
  • Solid waste management
  • Water analysis and treatment
  • Pharmaceutical applications of marine resources

The department is facilitated by funding from various International and National agencies such as United Nations University (UNU, Japan), UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK), University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Board of Research In Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).

Special Grants Received

Funding Agency Year Grant (Rs.)
UGC (Non-SAP) - SES 2008-2013 10 lakhs
UGC (Non SAP) 2008-2013 20 lakhs + 4 JRFs
DST-FIST 2008-2013 35 lakhs
UGC (Innovative) 2011-2016 60 lakhs + 1 Assistant Professor
UGC-SAP 2016-2021 99 lakhs
DST-FIST-2nd Cycle 2016-2021 67 lakhs
DHR 2020-2023 1.04 Crore
Total 3.95 Crore


Ongoing Project

S.No

Project Title

Funding agency

Amount in Rupees

1

Effects of Air pollutants on Respiratory health of Traffic Police personnel of Major Cities of Tamil Nadu – An Observational Study

DHR

1,04,23,056

2

RUSA 2.0 (Biological Sciences)

DHE

49,39,000

3

Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station

TNPCB

2,50,00,000

4

Elucidation of the underlying mechanism of adipose tissue browning driven polycystic ovarian syndrome recovery

ICMR

45,10,748

5

Phytonutrient and lipid profiling of refined and unrefined cooking oils and comparative study on Obesity and cardiovascular risks in rat as animal model

ICMR

18,02,996

6

Assessment of air pollution status with co-beneficial factors for Tiruchirappalli city corporation

MoEF&CC

33,05,000

7

Monitoring and Management of POPs in Asia – Monitoring of Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) in water, sediment and biota of the Asian region

UNU

4,68,711

Number of ongoing projects and their total outlay
Projects: 07
Total outlay: Rs. 4,59,38,763 Crore


Research projects completed (2002 onwards)

S.No

Project Title

Funding Agency

Amount in Rupees

1

Monitoring and Management of POPs in Asia – Monitoring of Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) in water, sediment and biota of the Asian region

UNU

2,78,000

2

Monitoring and assessment of rivers for Emerging Pollutants and phycoremediation

DBT

36,50,000

3

Analysis and evaluation of Indian staple food fortified with Veldt grape (Cissus quadrangularis) stem powder to overcome osteoporosis

DBT

31,90,000

4

Environmental Fate and Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment of Plasticizers in the Rivers of Tamilnadu, India

UGC

15,30,000

5

Identification and characterization of chemical cues in vaginal fluids of female kangayam breed cattle (Bos indicus): Enhancement of reproductive efficiency

UGC

22,00,000

6

Monitoring and Management of POPs in Asia – Monitoring of Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) in water, sediment and biota of the Asian region

UNU

4,60,000

7

Studies on the Biomolecules of the traditional seeds employed for water purification -UGC Research award

UGC

29,00,000

8

Quantification and characterization of disinfection by-products in drinking water from various places of Tamil Nadu

DST

19,99,400

9

Isolation of novel peptides from Ascidians (Tunicates) and its pharmaceutical applications

SERB

22,19,000

10

Effect of Pouteria Campechiana Linn extracts on experimental model of epilepsy in rats: an exploratory study

SERB

5,70,000

11

Identification and Evaluation of Novel Plant Species for CO2 Sequestration in different Altitudes ranges of Pachamalai Reserve Forest towards Climate Change Mitigation Research

SERB

12,00,000

12

Study on Population Ecology of Rucervus eldii in Keibul Lamjao National Park, Indo Burma Biodiversity Hotspot

OPCFHK

3,50,000

13

Environmental Monitoring and Governance of POPs in the Asian Coastal Hydrosphere

UNU

4,90,000

14

Molecular studies on microbial risk assessment for Antibiotic resistant microorganism and production of Class A biosolids in poultry litter by Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic digestion (ATAD)

CSIR

23,38,600

15

Lighten up the feeding constraint traits of silkworm Bombyx mori by Genetic Engineering

CSB

16,70,000

16

Development of Integrated Marine Environment Resource information System (DIMERIS) for Kudankulam Coastal Area – A Sustainable Development approach.

NRDMS - DST

26,00,000

17

Identification and characterization of bioactive compounds by HPLC and exploring anti-rheumatic potential of Mudakathan keerai (Cardiospermum halicababum)

UGC

9,71,800

18

Eco-friendly pheromones in restoration of reproductive status in pesticide induced toxicity: An innovative study in rat model

CSIR

13,00,000

19

Studies and evaluation of larvicidal effects and doses of electron beam using microtron irradiation as an effective method for pest control

BRNS

15,45,000

20

Identification and evaluation of novel microbes in CETP of tannery industrial units through molecular approach

DBT

48,40,000

21

An Assessment of Functional Alterations of Forest Ecosystem in Response to Climate Change Through Spatial Technology

UGC

6,00,000

22

Assessment of estrus specific urinary pheromones and their binding protein in goat (Capra indicus) : A new insight in livestock production

DST

10,50,000

23

Utilization of soil macro and microorganisms for the decomposition of cellulosic waste materials

MoEF&CC

30,04,000

24

Nitrate removal from drinking water using phytochemical components

UGC

11,15,000

25

Monitoring and Assessment Network for Asian Governance of Environment (MANAGE)

UNU

6,20,000

26

Endocrine Disruptors: Pesticides, PCBs and PAHs in Atmospheric Environment in Tamilnadu, India

UGC

8,60,000

27

The Structure of the Vitellogenin receptor from Lepidoptera

DST-UKIERI

24,40,000

28

Characterization of Lipophorin in a Lepidopteron insect Bombyx mori and its role in lipid transport to developing oocytes

UGC

10,60,000

29

Screening of in vivo Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) as a health index in subjects exposed to mobile phone induced electromagnetic radiation and its association with HLA gene

DRDO

15,98,000

30

An Epidemiological Survey of Vector Borne Diseases and Control Strategies for Tribal Health Development Through Remote Sensing and GIS for Sitheri Hills, Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu

ICMR

16,00,000

31

Bioenergy: Hydrogen production from wastewater using isolated microbial consortia and their 16s rDNA approach

UGC

6,25,800

32

Efficacy of Eco friendly pheromones in protecting pollutant induced male reproductive toxicity in rat model: An innovative strategy to protect environment

UGC

6,90,000

33

Solid waste management inside the University campus

BDU

3,00,000

34

Proteomics of the multilevel nutrient sensing pathway in silkworm Bombyx mori

DST-DAAD

9,40,000

35

An Integrated Approach to Develop a Specialised Green Belt Model to minimize Carbon Emission using Remote Sensing, GIS and Biotechnology for NLC Campus, Tamil Nadu

DST

25,00,000

36

Molecular Characterization of Vitellogenin receptor from the cotton pest Spodoptera litura

DST

26,00,000

37

To evaluate the microbial sorption capacity of heavy metals released from explosives and elucidate the mechanism involved

DRDO

18,16,742

38

Environmental Monitoring and Governance of POPs in the Asian Coastal Hydrosphere

UNU

8,50,000

39

Establishment of fat body heterogeneity and identification of storage protein receptors in lepidopteran pests Pericallia ricini and Amsacta albistriga

DST

21,00,000

40

Molecular characterization of Vitellogenin and Vitellogenin receptor in the cotton pest Spodoptera litura

CSIR

11,00,000

Number of completed projects and their total outlay
Projects: 40
Total outlay: Rs. 6,37,71,342 Crore




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We will create a brave new world