Overview

The Biochemistry department is involved in Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching for medical and dental students. The department also conducts regular CMEs/Conferences for the benefit of students and faculty.  The department has well equipped NABL accredited diagnostic lab with Laboratory Information System (LIS) which runs 24x7 that caters to around 6000 OPD and inpatients and produces around 8000 digital test reports/day. It also acts as a referral laboratory for private hospitals and physicians practicing in the surrounding areas. In addition to routine chemistry tests, therapeutic drug monitoring, hormones, this lab also has two specialized areas – center of excellence for screening of inborn error of metabolism and Manipal Poison information center that has been listed in the directory of World Health Organization(WHO). The laboratory is committed to maintaining the highest quality of performance using the latest technology and equipment that enables us to provide rapid and reliable results for the patient in the shortest turnaround time.  Faculty and postgraduate students are encouraged to do research, attend conferences and publish scientific papers. In the year 2017-18, the faculty contributed a total of 20 publications in International and National Scopus indexed journals. So far from this department,  59  students were successfully awarded doctorate and currently has  5  Ph.D. scholars and 4  recognized Ph.D. guides.

Based on the services rendered Vision Group of Science & Technology (VGST) Govt of Karnataka sanctioned Rs.60 lakhs and awarded Centre of Excellence for Inborn Error of Metabolism. The Manipal Poison Information Centre (MPIC) started in 2015,a collaborative venture between departments of biochemistry, forensic medicine and pharmacy practice is constantly helping doctors and local police in medico legal and poisoning cases. As a part of social responsibility, MPIC in collaboration with Karnataka Agricultural Pay Commission (KAPC) with a grant support of Rs.15 lakhs have conducted 8 public awareness & health check-up camps with respect to pesticide exposure and its hazards and screened more than 800 active farmers of 8 different districts of Karnataka in the year 2017-18.

All postgraduates get a hands on training in all the regular and specialized sections of the laboratory. In addition, with the help of industry, department organizes soft skill training, and campus selection programs for postgraduates which is well appreciated by students. Whenever any distinguished alumnus or a speaker visits our campus, department organizes guest lectures/ symposium with their help to create an awareness among students regarding various research and career options.  The philosophy of the Postgraduate program in Biochemistry is to create competent Ph.D. scholars and postgraduates.