Professor & Head : Dr. H. P. Gajera, Ph.D. Contacts: 0285-2672080-90-456 (Office) E-mail : hodbiotech@jau.in
Brief about Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry The Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry at Junagadh Agricultural University is a leading center for education and research in agricultural and life sciences. Established through the integration of Biotechnology (2008–09) and Biochemistry (1980, ICAR plan), the department offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. The department focuses on advanced areas such as plant sciences, molecular biology, genomics, crop improvement, stress physiology, genome editing, plant–microbe interactions, nutritional and environmental biochemistry. With strong teaching, modern laboratories, and interdisciplinary research, it supports innovation in sustainable agriculture. Mission
Promote excellence in biotechnology and biochemistry education and research
Address challenges in sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural development
Advance innovation in plant, nutritional, and environmental sciences
Goals
Deliver high-quality education and academic leadership
Strengthen research in crop resilience and biochemical sciences
Develop innovative technologies for agriculture
Enhance advanced infrastructure, including accredited laboratories
Foster national and international collaborations
Promote knowledge transfer to farmers and industry
Objectives
Offer M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs
Promote multidisciplinary and collaborative research
Translate research into field-level agricultural solutions
Strengthen laboratory and analytical capabilities
Train students in modern techniques, scientific writing, patents, and entrepreneurship
Organize training, workshops, and capacity-building programs
Vision
The department envisions integrating education, research, and innovation to address agricultural challenges, promote climate-resilient and sustainable farming, and translate scientific advancements into practical solutions for farmers and rural development.
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.
Title of the course
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 Dr. Jay M. Khaniya
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. Shraddha R. Parmar
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
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
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
10.
Microbial, Meta-omics and On-farm Evaluation study on Biostimulants (Beejamrit and Dravajivamrit) and Biorationals (Neemastra and Dashaparni Ark) (18024-17)
