University of Roorkee

Faculty

1. Name Dr. (Mrs.) Ritu Barthwal
Designation Professor
Degree M.Sc. Hons School (Physics), Panjab Univeristy, Chandigarh (1972); Ph.D. (Physics) Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (1976).
Specialization Molecular Biophysics/Structural Biology
Area of Research The research is broadly focussed on Protein-Nucleic Acid and DrugNucleic Acid Interactions by using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic method, theoretical potential energy calculations and Three-dimensional molecular modeling using computer graphics. The interactions of Trp, Tyr, Phe containing oligopeptides with polyribonucleic acids, deoxyoligonucleotides e.g. d-CpG, d-CGCG, dGCGC, d-GpC, etc. as models for protein-nucleic acid interactions; hexapeptide Lys-Pro-Tyr-Ser-Leu-Asn comprising of residues 24-29 in the binding loop of the protein encoded by gene 5 of bacteriophage fd with single stranded deoxypenta adenylate and duplex d(GACTCGTC)2 containing a bulge loop; and the anticancerous antibiotic drugs daunomycin & adriamycin with deoxyoligo nucleotides d-CGATCG, d-TGATCA, d-CpG; etc. have been investigated. The emphasis is on energetics of binding, base sequence specificity, stacking and intercalation, changes in conformation of peptide/drug/DNA due to binding and their implications in structure conformation - function. Processing and simulation of NMR data is done by using FELIX, SPHINX, LINSHA, while molecular modeling by using X- PLOR, INSIGHT II and DISCOVER (M/S Molecular Simulations Incorporated, California) softwares is in progress. Drug-designing based on structural considerations is being attempted. Research collaboration with Chemical Physics group and National High Field NMR facility, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (Bombay) has been established.
E-mail rbi@rurkiu.ernet.in


2. Name Dr. G.S.Randhawa
Designation Professor
Degree M.Sc. (Genetics) Panjab Agriculture Univeristy, Ludhiana Ph.D. (Genetics) Panjab Agriculture Univeristy, Ludhiana
Specialization Genetics/Recombinant DNA Technology/ Microbial technology/Molecular Genetics of Nitrogen fixation in Rhizobium.
Area of Research Genetic and biochemical studies are being carried out on the biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleotide bases and vitamins in Rhizobium meliloti. The genes involved in the above processes are characterized by transposon mutagenesis, plasmid-mediated mapping, screening of cosmid libraries, etc. The role of these genes in symbiosis is explored by plant tests with mutant R. meliloti strains Ultrastructural and biochemical analysis of the nodules formed is carried out. Research work is also in progress to understand the molecular genetics of stress tolerance in Rhizobium.
E-mail saran@rurkiu.ernet.in


3. Name Dr. BEN. M.J.PEREIRA
Designation Assistant Professor & Head of the Department
Degree M.Sc. (Zoology, University of Madras, Madras) M.Phil (Endocrinology, University of Madras, Madras) Ph.D. (University of Madras, Madras)
Specialization Animal Physiology (Endocrinology)
Area of Research Reproductive Endocrinology

Research is centred around the molecules that regulate fertility. Using goat as the animal model efforts are being made to identify the proteins/glycoproteins on the surface of sperm and egg that interact to bring about gamete recognition, binding and fertilization. In this regard, special attention is being devoted to GPI-anchored proteins on the surface of sperm and the zona antigens of egg. The synthesis and processing of GPI-anchored proteins of sperm is being studied in isolated testicular germ cells at various stage of development. The role of hormones in the expression of these proteins is also being investigated in short term cultures of germ cells.

Research Collaborations :

    National

  • National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur.
  • Centre for Biochemical Technology, Delhi.
  • International:

  • First Institute of Obstetrics and gynecology, Department of clinical chemistry, Policlinico umberto 1, La Sapienza, Roma 0161, Italy.
  • Centre for Reproductive Biology Research, Vanderbilt university, School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, U.S.A.
E-mail pereira@rurkiu.ernet.in


4. Name Dr. Vinay Sharma
Designation Assistant Professor
Degree M.Sc. (Botany, Meerut University, Meerut), M.Phil (Meerut University, Meerut) Ph.D. (Meerut University, Meerut)
Specialization Plant Physiology
Area of Research Broadly current research efforts are directed on the molecular and biochemical characterization of membrane bound ATPases of groundnut seedlings. Further studies on the behaviour of these enzymes in response to a) stress both nutrient and environmental, and b) pesticide treatment; their interaction with phytohormones and isolation of their mRNA are either planned or are currently carried out.
E-mail biost@rurkiu.ernet.in


5. Name Dr. R.P.Singh
Designation Assistant Professor
Degree M.Sc. (Biochemistry, G.B.Pant University, Pant Nagar) Ph.D. (Kanpur University, Kanpur)
Specialization Microbiology
Area of Research Microbial transformation of sterols - Oral Cancer antigens Microbial cellulases.
E-mail rpsbs@rurkiu.ernet.in


6. Name Dr. R. Prasad
Designation Lecturer
Degree M.Sc. (Biochemistry, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi) Ph.D. (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)
Specialization Molecular Biology
Area of Research
  • Molecular Basis of Sperm-Egg interaction : Surface molecules of sperm and Eggs play important role in zygote formation. Research is being undertaken to identify the genes expressed in the male reproductive tract that have relevance to sperm egg interaction. Sperm-membranes have both integral and peripheral proteins and are believed to acquire these during their formation and maturation. The expression of the genes responsible for these molecules is tissue & species specific. The investigations are being inititated to study genes expression in testis, epididymis and other accessary sex organs in goat.
  • Metal resistance gene of Bacillus spp.: Microorganisms show resistance to almost all heavy metals. There seems to be several possible mechanism(s) for this. Research is being initiated to identify metal resistance Bacillus suitable and slabspecies from Contaminated soil and water and also develop resistance strain from chemical mutagenesis. The mechanism of resistance will be studied. The work is initiated to identify, clone and sequence the heavy metal resistance gene from Bacillus subtilis and explore the then possible application in detoxification.
E-mail biost@rurkiu.ernet.in


7. Name Dr. R.P.Mathur
Designation Professor, G.B. Pant Chair
Degree M.Sc. (Zoology, Delhi University, 1956) Ph.D. (Delhi University, 1964)
Specialization Environmental Science/Microbiology/Ecology
Area of Research Environmental Pollution Abatement. In the current area of research emphasis is laid on use of microbial agents (fungus, yeast and bacteria) in degradation of refractory recalcitrant materials. The materials being targetted are Lignocellulosic Compounds, dyes in textile industries and Cdor (melaonidin) is distillery wastes.
E-mail biost@rurkiu.ernet.in