College of Agriculture, Junagadh

Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry

Professor & Head : Dr. H. P. Gajera, Ph.D.
Contacts : 0285-2672080-90-456 (Office)
E-mail : hodbiotech@jau.in

Faculty Strength (Current Position) :

Sr. No.	Name	Designation	Higher Qualification	Experience (Years)
1.	Dr. H. P. Gajera	Professor and Head	Ph. D.	31
2.	Dr. U. K. Kandoliya	Professor (CAS)	Ph. D.	31
3.	Dr. M. V. Parakhia	Associae Professor (CAS)	Ph.D.	16
4.	Dr. Y. V. Naghera	Associae Professor	Ph. D.	15
5.	Dr. A. G. Vala	Assistant Professor	Ph. D.	10
6.	Dr. S. B. Bhatt	Assistant Professor	Ph. D.	10
7.	Dr. Jay M. Khaniya	Assistant Professor	Ph. D.	3
8.	Dr. D. G. Hirpara	Assistant Professor	Ph. D.	-
9.	Dr. H. R. Sodhaparmar	Assistant Professor	Ph. D.	-
10.	Dr. Shraddha. R. Parmar	Assistant Professor	Ph. D.	-

Technical Staff (Current Position) :

Sr. No.	Name	Designation	Qualification	Experience (Years)
1.	Mr. N. A. Patel	Agril. Officer	M.Sc. (Agri.)	13
2.	Mr. A. R. Japda	Agril. Officer	M.Sc. (Agri.)	10
3.	Miss. J. K. Manavar	Lab.Technician	M.Sc. (Home science)	17
4.	Miss. N. S. Vaghani	Lab.Technician	M.Sc. (Chemistry) & DMLT	17
5.	Mr. H. Z. Hirpara	Lab.Technician	M.Sc. (Chemistry) & DMLT	17
6.	Mr. V. G. Vyas	Lab.Technician	M. Sc. (Chemistry)	17
7.	Mr. V. K. Bajaniya	Lab.Technician	M.Sc. (Chemistry)	17
8.	Mr. R. L. Bhalara	Lab.Technician	M. Sc. (Micro.) & DMLT	17
9.	Mr. A. P. Patel	Lab.Technician	M.Sc. (Chemistry) & DMLT	17
10.	Miss. S. V. Bharadava	Agril. Assistant	Polytech. in Agri.	07

Supporting Staff (Current Position) :

Sr. No.	Name	Designation	Qualification	Experience
1.	Mr. A. N. Dabhi	Computer Programmer	M.C.A. & PGDCA	16
2.	Mr. D. M. Parmar	Sr. Clerk	B.Com.	16
3.	Mr. B. B. Patel	Store keeper	12 th pass	27

Courses Offered at UG /PG and Others (Current Year Odd & Even Sem.) :

(A) Post Graduate Courses :

Teacher	Odd/Even		Course No.			Credit
Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Dr. H. P. Gajera	Even		MBB-501	Principles of Biotechnology		3+0
Dr. A. G. Vala	Odd		MBB 502	Fundamentals of Molecular Biology		3+0
Dr. S. B. Bhatt	Odd		MBB 503	Molecular Cell Biology		3+0
Dr. M. V. Parakhia	Even		MBB 504	Techniques in Molecular Biology-I		0+3
Dr. M. V. Parakhia Dr. Jay M. Khaniya	Odd		MBB 505	Omics and Systems Biology		2+1
Dr. M. V. Parakhia	Odd		MBB 508	Introduction to Bioinformatics		2+1
Dr. M. V. Parakhia	Odd		MBB 509	Techniques in Molecular Biology-II		0+3
Dr. H. P. Gajera Dr. Jay M. Khaniya	Odd		MBB 511	Molecular Plant Breeding		2+1
Dr. U. K. Kandoliya	Even		MBB 512	Immunology and Molecular diagnosis		2+1
Dr. H. P. Gajera	Even		MBB 514	Nano Biotechnology		2+1
Dr. D. G. Hirpara	Odd		MBB 601	Plant Molecular Biology		3+0
Dr. A. G. Vala	Odd		MBB 602	Plant Genome Enginerring		3+0
Dr. S. B. Bhatt	Even		MBB 605	Plant Microbe Interaction		2+0
Dr. M. V. Parakhia	Even		MBB 606	RNA Biology		1+0
Biochemistry
Dr. H. P. Gajera	Odd	BIOCHEM 501			Basic Biochemistry	3+1
Dr. S. B. Bhatt	Odd	BIOCHEM 506			Immunochemistry	2+1
Dr. H. R. Sodhaparmar	Odd	BIOCHEM 509			Nutritional Biochemistry	2+1
Dr. H. P. Gajera	Odd	BIOCHEM 602			Advanced Molecular Biology	3+0
Dr. U. K. Kandoliya	Odd	BIOCHEM 603			Biochemistry of Biotic and Abiotic Stresses	3+0
Dr. U. K. Kandoliya	Odd	BIOCHEM 505			Techniques in Biochemistry	2+2
Dr. S. B. Bhatt	Even	BIOCHEM 503			Enzymology	2+1
Dr. Shraddha R. Parmar	Odd	BIOCHEM 601			Advanced Enzymology	2+1
Dr. U. K. Kandoliya Dr. H. R. Sodhaparmar	Even	BIOCHEM 607			Advanced Techniques in Biochemistry	1+2
Dr. A. G. Vala	Even	BIOCHEM 605			Concepts and Application of Omics in Biological Sciences	3+0

(B) Under Graduate Programme, B.Sc. (Hons.) Agri. :

Teacher	Odd/Even	Course No.	Title of the course	Credit
Dr. U. K. Kandoliya	Even	BIOCHEM 2.1	Fundamentals of Plant Biochemistry	3 (2+1)
Dr. Y. V. Naghera	Odd	Biotech. 5.1	Introductory Biotechnology	2 (1+1)
Dr. S. B. Bhatt	Even	Ag. Micro 6.2	Biopesticides and Biofetilizers	3(2+1)
Dr. S. B. Bhatt	Odd	Ag. Micro 1.1	Agricultural Microbiology	2 (1+1)
Dr. Ashish Joshi and Dr. Shraddha R. Parmar	Odd	As. 3.3	Engg. Chemistry	3 (2+1)

(C) Under Graduate Programme, B.Sc. (Hons.) Horti. :

Teacher	Odd/Even	Course No.	Title of the course	Credit
Dr. U. K. Kandoliya	Odd	BSC 1.1	Elementary Plant Biochemistry	2(1+1)
Dr. A. G. Vala	Odd	BSC 3.7	Elementary Plant Biotechnology	2(1+1)

(D) Polytechnic :

Teacher	Odd/Even	Course No.	Title of the course	Credit
Dr. Y. V. Naghera	Odd	BSC. 1.1	Introductory Botany	1+1
Dr. D. G. Hirpara	Odd	BSC 3.2	Introductory Microbiology	1 + 1
Dr. H. R. Sodhaparmar	Odd	BSC. 5.7	Elementary Plant Biochemistry	1+1
Dr. D. G. Hirpara	Odd	Ag. Micro. 5.1	Agricultural Microbiology	1 + 1
Dr. Shraddha. R. Parmar	Odd	BIOCHEM 5.1	Fundamentals of Plant Biochemistry	2+1

Laboratory Facility :

Sr. No.	Name of Lab.	Seating Capacity	Purpose	UG or PG
1.	PG Laboratory	35	PG Practical and Research	PG
2.	UG Laboratory	40	UG Practical	UG
3.	Food Testing Laboratory		PG Research, Departmental Research and Commercial Sample Analysis	PG Research and Samples
	A. Biotech Cell	10
	B. Genomic Cell	5
	C. Bioinformatics Cell	5
	D. Proteomic Cell	10
	E. Microbial Cell	10
	F. MS/MS Cell	5
	G. GFQA Cell	10
	H. Separation Cell	10
	I. Elemental Cell	10

List of Major Equipment / Instruments :

Sr. No.	Name of Equipment / Instrument
1.	Water Purification system
2.	PCR with Accessories
3.	Ultra high-speed Refrigerated centrifuge
4.	Capillary electrophoresis
5.	U. V. Spectrophotometer
6.	Gel Documentation System
7.	Pico drop Spectrophotometer
8.	Veriti-96 Thermal cycler PCR machine
9.	Inverted Microscope
10.	Next generation sequencers (Ion S5 and Nanopore )
11.	Micro Manipulator
12.	Fully Automatic nucleic acid extraction system
13.	Gel Documentation system
14.	High Through Sequencer system
15.	Blotting Device system
16.	Bioinformatics setup system
17.	Concentrator System
18.	Refrigerator Shaking Incubator
19.	Lovibond BOD
20.	BOD Incubator
21.	Photobio Reactors
22.	Microscope
23.	Flowcyto meter
24.	HPLC Model LC 10-A
25.	Lyophilizer with accessories
26.	Ultra Centrifuge Max
27.	Solvent extraction dinox
28.	Sapbox
29.	IKA Digital Block Heater
30.	FTIR with Accessories
31.	Elan-9000 Mass Spectrophotometer (ICPMS)
32.	836-tietrendo with aces.
33.	797-voltramatic system
34.	GCMS QP-2010 Plus
35.	IR moisture balance
36.	LN-2 Safety Cooling System
37.	Spectrofloro photometer
38.	LCMS Accessories
39.	Microtrac Particle Size Analyzer
40.	T.Q.D. Aquity UPLC
41.	Acquity UPLC system
42.	Automatic Fibre Extraction System
43.	XRF Spectro.with Accessories
44.	Gluten Analyzer (LCGC)
45.	Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (MP-AES)
46.	Protein Fractionators System
47.	Spot Spicker & Digestor System
48.	Protein Analysis Scanner
49.	Surface Plasma Resonance System (SPR)
50.	2 D Gel Electrophoresis
51.	PCR mycycler System

M.Sc/Ph.D. Students Guided :

Name of Guide	No. of students being supervised (guided) by faculty
Name of Guide	M.Sc. (Agri.)	Ph.D.
PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
Dr. H. P. Gajera	4	11
Dr. R. S. Tomar	10	04
Dr. D. R. Mehta	4	3
Dr. R. B. Madariya	2	-
Dr. U. K. Kandoliya	11	2
Dr. G. V. Maraviya	6	-
Dr. M. K. Mahatma	2	-
Dr. Ashishkumar Vala	6	1
Dr Shraddha Bhatt	8	-
Dr. M. V. Parakhia	4	-
Biochemistry
Dr. H. P. Gajera	7	3
Dr. U. K. Kandoliya	7	1
Dr. G. V. Maraviya	3	-
Dr. P. J. Rathod	5	-
Dr. M. K. Mahatma	-	-
Dr. Sarang S. Sapre	1	-

Click here to see the M.Sc. Theses Submitted :

Click here to see the Ph.D. Theses Submitted :

Click here to see the Faculty Participated in Trainings/Refresher Course/Summer/Winter School etc. :

Click here to see the Seminar / Symposia / Workshop Attended by Faculty :

Click here to see the Seminar/workshop/symposia organized by the Department :

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Click here to see the Papers Published in Journals :

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Click here to see the Other Publication viz Books, Book chapter, Practical Manuals, Bulletins etc. :

Click here to see the Recommendations for scientific community (in brief with title) / Patent :

On-Going Research Schemes/Projects :

Sr. No.	Title and BH	Funding agency	Principal Investigator	Period		Sanctioned Amount (Rs. In lakh)
				From	To
1.	Establishment of Department of Biotechnology at College of Agriculture, Junagadh. (12401)	Gov. of Gujarat	Professor & Head	2008-09	Conti..	248.95
2.	Improvement of Agriculture production through Nanotechnology Inventions (12402)	Gov. of Gujarat	Professor & Head	2008-09	Conti..	73.65
3.	Research in Bio-Technology at Junagadh (12044-1)	Gov. of Gujarat	Professor & Head	1994-95	Conti..	13.45
4.	Molecular mapping of important traits and their transfer through marker assisted selection (MAS) in groundnut and cotton (12029)	Gov. of Gujarat	Professor & Head	2014-15	Conti..	56.30
5.	Aflatoxin and its management in groundnut at Saurashtra region of Gujarat (12028-00)	Ministry of Agriculture Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar	Professor & Head	2014-19 (Five year)	Conti..	84.04
6.	Improvement of Agricultural Production through Nanotechnological Interventions (12402-00)	Ministry of Agriculture Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar	Professor & Head	2014-19 (Five year)	Conti..	703.75
7.	Microbial, Meta-omics and On-farm Evaluation study on Biostimulants (Beejamrit and Dravajivamrit) and Biorationals (Neemastra and Dashaparni Ark) (18024-17)	Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, Gandhinagar (GSBTM- DST)	Dr. M. V. Parakhia	2022-23 to 2024-25 (Three year)	Conti..	74.47

Research experiments conducted (2019-2025) :

Sr. No.	Title
1.	Studies on phytochemicals and metabolomics profiling of seaweeds
2.	Elemental, nutritional and microbiological analysis of panchagavya (ancient liquid organic)
3.	Biochemical appraisal of enzymatic activities from soils of LTFE at JAU, Junagadh.
4.	Biochemical and molecular evaluation of A1 and A2 casein protein of milk in holstein friesian cow and indigenous Gir cow
5.	Comparative appraisal of cow (Gir) and buffalo (Jaffarabadi) urine for anticancerous properties through biochemical and cytotoxic characterization
6.	Isolation and identification of entomopathogenic microorganisms from the soils of Saurashtra region
7.	Isolation and identification salt tolerant strains of beneficial microorganisms from the coastal soils of Saurashtra region.
8.	Development and characterization of polymer based nanofertilizers and their response to wheat
9.	Soil and water appraisal of organic farms in Saurashtra region
10.	Development of biochemical and molecular markers for heat tolerance in chickpea
11.	Biochemical analysis-based lipid indices of edible, non edible and medicinal herbs oils.
12.	Diversity analysis of marine diatoms through sem-edx from surface microalgae of saurashtra coastle belt.
13.	Diversity analysis of fresh water diatoms through sem-edx from surface microalgae of water bodies of Junagadh region.
14.	Genome sequencing of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) to reveal insight of its genomic architecture
15.	Transcriptome analysis in coriander for identification of candidate genes against stem gall disease
16.	Transcriptome and Proteomic characterization for identification of candidate genes responsible for pistillate inflorescence and its reversion in castor
17.	Construction of genetic linkage map and identification of QTL's linked to stem rot resistance in groundnut.
18.	Genome and transcriptome sequencing of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) to reveal insight of its genomic architecture and breeding targets
19.	Characterization of Transcription Factors (Tfs) Involved in ABA -Dependent Signal Transduction in Peanut
20.	Improvement of antioxidant and defense properties of Tomato using Bacillusspp
21.	Marker-assisted backcrossing to develop foliar disease-resistant genotypes in GJG-22 variety of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
22.	Molecular characterization of sesame genotypes using SRAP markers
23.	Microbial and Meta-omics study on Biostimulants (Beejamrit and Dravajivamrit) and Biorationals (Neemastra and Dashaparni Ark).
24.	Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of soybean under varying water-deficit conditions
25.	Genome-wide transcriptome analyses for identification of candidate gene(s) under climate resilience in pearl millet
26.	Study of flowering gene dynamics in Kesar Mango
27.	Functional validation of genes controlling flowering time in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) through CRISPR/Cas9
28.	Comparative study of nutritional composition and non targeted etabolites (volatile compounds) among different cultivars and indigenous genotypes of Mango (Mangifera indica)
29.	Nutritional, antinutritional and molecular characterization of selected genotypes of chickpea.
30.	Optimization of regeneration protocol using different plant growth regulator in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. 'Bhagwa' cultivar
31.	Molecular identification, antimicrobial properties and phytochemical profiling of endophytes isolated from Moringa (Moringa oleifera) and Betel (Piper betel) leaves
32.	Comparative study of nutritional composition and non targeted etabolites (volatile compounds) among different cultivars and indigenous genotypes of Mango (Mangifera indica)
33.	Elixir Potential of Bitter gourd through metabolic and minerals profiling
34.	Metabolic and mineral profiling of edible wild Reishi mushroom

New technical programmes proposed (2025-26) :

Sr. No.	Title
1.	Bacillus-derived green nanoparticles: Mechanistic and genomic approaches for biocontrol activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini
2.	Molecular characterization of groundnut genotypes/varieties using SRAP markers.
3.	Molecular Characterization of Papaya Fruit Firmness through cpPL1 (Pectate Lyase) and cp_b-GAL (?- Galactosidase) Genes

Projects Completed :

Sr. No.	Title	PI & Co-PI	Grant (Rs. lakh)	Duration
1.	Mapping of marine fish biodiversity using mtDNA barcoding.	Dr. Rukam Singh Tomar (Co-PI)	19.68	2013-14 to 2015-16
2.	Evaluation of fish meal substitution with plant proteins in formulated feed in rohu through nutrigenomics approach.	Dr. Rukam Singh Tomar (Co-PI)	14.65	2013-14 to 2015-16
3.	Biochemical and molecular characterization of Basillus Spp. Isolated from Rhizosphere of plant and their biochemical potentials against Fusarium oxysporum f. Sp. Cumini. B.H. 18024-11	Dr. H. P. Gajera Associate Professor (PI)	14.50	2014-15 to 2016-17
4.	Transcriptome and Proteomic characterization for identification of candidate gene responsible for pistillate inflorescence and its reversion in castor B/H: 2030-07	R. S. Tomar (PI)	65.00	2015-16 to 2017-18
5.	Transcriptome analysis in coriander for identification of candidate genes against stem gall disease. B/H:2030-08	R. S. Tomar (PI)	35.20	2015-16 to 2017-18
6.	Genome and transcriptome sequencing of cumin to reveal insight of its genomic architecture.	Dr. Rukam Singh Tomar (PI)	34.65	2015 to 2017
7.	Synthesis and characterization of chitosan based NPK-Nano fertilizers (18024-12)	Dr. H. P. Gajera (PI)	4.12	2017-18 to 2019-20
8.	Genome and transcriptome sequencing of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) to reveal insight its genomic architecture and breeding targets (18024-13)	Dr. R. S. Tomar (PI)	25.41	2017-18 to 2019-20
9.	To identify the Candidate biocontrol agent putatively involved in biocontrol of plant disease (18024-14)	Dr. M. V. Parakhia (PI)	6.00	2018-19 to 2019-20