helpdesk@loyolacollege.edu 044-28178291/292/293
School of Life Sciences

Plant Biology and Biotechnology

Warm Greetings and Welcome to the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology!

The Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology was sprouted in 1950 as a young Department of Botany; it has grown over the years, adopting a new nomenclature as the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, keeping in tune with the trends of time, and also based on societal demands. From a mere undergraduate department for almost four decades, the department became a PG department with the introduction of M.Sc. Biotechnology in 2000 and elevated as the research department from the University of Madras. The department has been offering M.Phil and Ph.D programs in Plant Biology and Biotechnology from 2007 onwards. In 2000, the UGC chose our department as nodal department to conduct vocational course in Biotechnology. Rev. Fr. Alfred Rapinats.S.J., Rev. Dr. Pallithanam S. J., Prof. Rama Rao, Dr. T.A.Lourdusamy, Prof. Wilson, Prof. Babujee and Dr. S.J.Kingsley were the instrumental in making the Department blossom. Rev. Dr. S. Ignacimuthu S.J. faculty of our Department and former principal was keen in elevating the Department to high standards.  

Since its inception, the Department has contributed a lot in terms of teaching, learning and research.
We have a team of new faculty who contributes much to the development of the potentials of students. With the support of the Management, the UGC and the DBT Star College Scheme, we have established a very good infrastructure such as separate lab for Plant Tissue Culture, Animal Cell Culture, Microbiology and Molecular Biology for UG and PG students. We have herbal garden with more than 200 plant species and we also use the plants from our garden for the practicals.

Five of our staff members (Dr. R. Ravindhran, Dr. P. Agastian, Dr. J. Joel Gnanadoss, Dr.G. Jeya Jothi and Dr. I. Jaquline Chinna Rani) are actively doing research and have also contributed immensely to the scientific world by forming competent students of national and international repute. Some have been the shining stars in the field of biological sciences. The Staff members have published several research articles in high impact factor journals. Till date 26 scholars have pursued their doctorate degrees.

The staff members have research projects funded by DBT, UGC, ICMR and Loyola College - Times of India. We do periodically conduct DBT sponsored training programs for college teachers and research scholars in biotechnology. Some of our under graduate students have become Entrepreneurs in plant tissue culture, production of mushroom and bio-fertilizers. I, as the Head of the Department, wish all my students - UG, PG and research scholars, all the very best for their future endeavors. I also appeal to all our alumni to visit our department and be a source of inspiration to our younger generations.

Thanks to Dr. R. Ravindhran the Former HOD of Plant Biology and Biotechnology for his praiseworthy services.

Let your light shine!

Contact

Dr J Joel Gnanadoss

Head of the Department,
Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology,
Loyola College (Autonomous)
Chennai - 600 034.
Tel: +91 44 2817 8200 (Ext 330)
hodbot@loyolacollege.edu