The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) provides support to establish interdisciplinary School of Life Sciences for advanced research and education in universities known as “DBT-Boost to University Interdisciplinary Life Science Departments for Education and Research (BUILDER)” Programme for advanced research and education.

Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College received the prestigious “DBT BUILDER” Level I grant from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, in 2022 for advancement of PG education and up-gradation of existing facilities in Biological Sciences by establishing a ‘Centre for Bioprospecting’. We are one of the few recipients of this award at the college level.

The Centre for Bioprospecting will attempt end to end bioprospecting in three sub groups, viz Microbial Bioprospecting, Plant Bioprospecting and Marine Bioprospecting, with focus on discovery, characterization and application of novel compounds from natural sources and formulating them into a delivery system for their end-use application.

The research work and advanced training envisaged at the Centre will encompass various stages along the pipeline from discovery to application for novel molecules from underexplored niches with effective industry – academia collaborations. 

Total no. of beneficiaries- 409

Project Coordinator: Prof Anushree Lokur (Principal)

Co-PI:

• Prof. Jessy Pius
• Dr. Sasikumar Menon
• Dr. Varsha Shukla
• Dr. Sunil Shankhadarwar
• Dr. Sachin Palekar