Overview

The Centre for Advanced Study in Botany, and the departments of Zoology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology together constitute the School of Life Science.

The first Natural Science department of the University of Madras viz., the Department of Zoology was started in 1927 with Sir.K.Ramunny Menon as the honorary director. The department teaches and researches in the fields of, Cryopreservatioon of gametes and embryos of penaid prawns, Eye stalk neuropeptides and control of reproduction in the decapod crustaceans, Molecular aspects of reproduction in the decapod crustaceans, Biochemistry of spermatophores and seminal plasma in Scylla serrata, Biofouling: Environmental impact assessment, Water, Quality, Viral diseases of shrimp Aquaculture of live food organism,Mass culture of fairyshrimps and brine Immunobiology of cultivable aquatic invertebrates, Physiology of respiratory pigments, Heavy metal regulation in arthropods, Cell surface glycoprotenis, Cancer and free radical biology etc.

The department of Botany was started in 1929 for generating specilization in the field of Algology. In 1944 the emphasis shifted to Plant Pathology. In 1963 it was chosen for elevation as a Centre for Advanced Study by the Univeristy Grants Commission. Algology, Algal Biotechnology, Mycology, Fungal Biotechnology, Molecular plant Pathology, Environmental Microbiology, Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering are the areas in which teaching and research are carried out by the department.

The department of Biochemistry was started in 1933 under the headship Dr.M.Damodaran to study Chemsitry and Metabolism of proteins and enzymes. Since 1945, the department offers, Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D.programmes. The department teaches and researches in the areas of Clinical Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Standardization of Pharmaceuticals, Nutritional Biochemistry, De-addiction, Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology and Microbial Pathogenesis.

The department of Biotechnology was started in 1997. The department offers Masters and Ph.D. Prgorammes.

The department of Pathology carries research in Histopathology,Immunology,Haematology, Haematopathology, Immuno-histochemistry and In situ Hybridisation. The facilities of the department are Histopathology with frozen section facilities, Histochemistry to demonstrate various enzymes and compounds in tissue sections including skeletal muscle,estimation of immunoglobulins,evaluation of haemostatic mechanisms,cytochemistry for bone marrow smears(especially for leukaemias),evaluation of haemostasis, immunohistochemistry with a large panel of antibodies and facilities to carry out in situ hybridisation for viral DNA and RNA etc. Consultancy on Histopathology,Immuno-histochemistry,Haematology. The Department is a referral centre for immunohistochemistry and cytochemistry are available in this department.

Facilities

Location

Chepauk, Chennai, Chennai - 600005