Biochemistry and Biotechnology Area (BBA) is dedicated to produce scalable, economically viable, best-in-class energy efficient fuels and chemicals from biological feedstock. Lignocellulosic biomass is processed through hydrolysis route to separate fermentable sugar monomers from hemicellulose and cellulose and lignin is left over. Fractionated products are processed through microbial fermentation towards 2nd generation fuel alcohols, 4th generation hydrocarbon and lignin valorization. The area’s R & D is focused into enzyme microbial technology, fermentation process development and in silico genomics and proteomics. The area is equipped with state-of-the-art analytical facilities, along with microbiology, genomics, proteomics, lipidomics, bioinformatics, and bioprocess development facility. The area has many recently completed as well as ongoing research projects sponsored by reputed funding organizations such as Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), International & multi institutional projects (e.g. Newton Bhabha waste challenge grant, IUSSTF/JCERDC) and many in house research projects funded by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Recently, the area developed a stand-alone porta cabin based BSL-2+ facility in a record 7 weeks’ time and initiated the RT-PCR based testing of COVID-19 patient samples of the state Uttarakhand. The Institute has been designated as a Govt. COVID-19 testing laboratory by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) as well as Arogya Setu App.
