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Research & Development Cell

R & D Poster

The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda is a research centric University. The faculty of the University is involved in carrying out basic as well as applied research. The research strength of the University is evident by the research publications in national and international journals of repute and the research grants earned by various faculty members from various funding agencies like DBT, DST, UGC, ICMR, ICSSR, BRNS, MoFPI etc. The total number of projects over a decade since the establishment of the University in 2009 is 201 amounting to approximately Rs 72 crores. Under Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission of Teachers and Teaching, the University has received a total grant of Rs. 5 crores. Nine (09) departments of the University have earned DST FIST grant worth Rs. 84300000. Under Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission of Teachers and Teaching, the University has received a total grant of Rs. 5 crores. Seven departments of the University have earned DST FIST grant worth Rs.62800000. The total number of research papers published by the faculty members till date is 1966 (1611 as per Scopus and Web of Science).The University is performing exceedingly well among the newly established Central Universities in terms of research output. 

The University has animal cell culture and plant tissue culture facilities. The labs are equipped with RT-PCR, Gradient PCR, UV-Visible Spectrophotometers, automated karyotyping system, Electrophoresis units, Gel documentation systems, high precision water baths, Ultra-low temperature deep freezers, high speed cooling centrifuges, Vacuum Concentrator, Nanodrop, CO2 incubators, and Millipore water purification systems for teaching and research.

The hallmark of the research conducted at the Central University of Punjab is the intellectual environment that brings people together to solve societal problems. Biologists, pharmaceutical scientists, chemists, mathematicians, computer scientists, geologists, environmental scientists, physicists, social scientists and the faculty from humanities are carrying out collaborative research for societal benefits.

Significant Areas of Research:

  • Prediction, prevention and therapeutics of human genetic diseases including diabetes, cancers, birth defects, and neurological disorders including stroke, epilepsy and migraine.
    • Immunogenomics of common complex diseases and rare diseases, such as celiac disease and vasculitis. Efforts are being put in to establish a HLA typing facility for diagnosis of autoimmunity.
    • Elucidation of environmental, genetic and epigenetic causes leading to reproductive failure and developmental failure. The focus is also on gene-gene and gene-environment interaction leading to idiopathic cases of infertility; role of genetic susceptibility and epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of PCOS; pathogenic variants and epimutations leading to growth failure and underlying genetic causes of non-syndromic hearing loss.
    • Research is ongoing with respect to involvement of mito-miRs in breast cancer progression where we have shown that mito-miRs are involved in mitochondrial mediated metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer and also govern the anticancer drug response of cancer cells. Research pertaining to anticancer drug discovery from natural/synthetic compounds resulted in several high impact publications and patents. Research is also ongoing to develop biosensors for detecting pesticide related toxicity in human blood. (Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine).
  • The overall thrust area of the Zoology department is to understand pathophysiological mechanisms and develop potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for human diseases. To elucidate the basic mechanisms of Neuroendocrinology and neurodegenerative disorder by using in vivo and in vitro models.
  • Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Product is DST-FIST supported and is engaged in the following areas:
    1. Computer Aided Drug Design and Synthesis: Molecular modeling for the study of drug-receptor(enzyme) interactions as well identification of small lead molecules (natural/synthetic) using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD), 2D- and -3D QSAR methods in the following areas:
      • Anticancer Research:  Mono or multi inhibition of cancer over expressing kinases: Tyrosine kinases (e.g. EGFR, HER-2. etc.), others like CDKs and PKM-2. epigenetic enzymes: HDACs and HATs, topoisomerases I and II, microtubule proteins, DNA repair enzymes (e.g. APE-1 and PARP-1), estrogen receptors (ERs) including ERa, ERb aromatase, steroidal sulphatase, HIF1-α, Inhibition of cell signalling transducers like PI3K
      • Antihyperuricemic/Antigout agents: Xanthine oxidase
      • Antiinflammatory agents: COX-1, COX-2 and LOX
      • Antiviral agents: Anti-HIV (LEDGF/p75 and HIV Integrase),
      • Antidiabetic: Aldose reductase, Protein tyrosine Phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B), a-amylase, a-glucosidase and DPP-4
      • Antimicrobial agents: Anti-MRSA agents, ant-HIV (NNRTIs)
    2. Natural Product Research: Preparation of plant extracts and their standardisation.
      Isolation of active constituents from bioactivity guided fractions and their characterisation (e.g. Citrullus, Piper, Stevia rebaudiana, Potentilla fulgens, P. atrosanguinea, Calotropis procera, Azadirachta indica, Asparagus racemosus, Cassia fistula, Withania somnifera, Nigella sativa, Artemisia maritima, Heraculum thomsonii)
    3. Eco-friendly Organic Transformations for the Synthesis of Bioactive Agents: Reactions involving C-X (X = C, N, S, O) bond formation utilising one or more green protocols such as under solvent free condition, or “on or in water” reactions, heterogeneous catalysis, ionic liquids surface mediated reactions, microwave/ ultrasound assisted enhancement of reaction rates. Applications of the above mentioned methodologies for the synthesis of drugs, drug intermediates and new chemical entities for various therapeutic areas and enzymatic biotransformation reactions.
  • The Department of Pharmacology is working on aspects including Neuropharmacology, Psychopharmacology, Autacoids Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacovigilance, Indigenous Drug Research and Cardiovascular Pharmacology.
  • The Department of Computational Sciences (DCS) research thrust areas include, Full-dimensional quantum dynamics of small systems (using QUANTICS), Molecular Modelling and Drug Design, CPU-GPU Hybrid Computing, Computational Material Sciences, Computational Genomics, Proteomics and Transcriptomics.
  • The Department of Chemistry uses a variety of spectroscopic (UV-visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD)), fast kinetic (millisecond stopped flow, nanosecond laser flash photolysis), thermodynamic ([differential scanning and isothermal calorimetry (DSC and ITC], and mechanistic [single molecule atomic force clam spectroscopy (SMFCS)] techniques. The department is also investigating the role of pH, denaturants, surfactants, macromolecular crowder, physiological anions, ionic liquids and nanoparticles on structural, kinetic, thermodynamic, and functional properties of several proteins, including blood plasma serum transferrin, horse heart cytochrome c, myoglobin, hen egg white lysozymes and human titin I27. Designing, Synthesis and Evaluation of multi-targeting agents for the treatment of chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and cancer are being developed. 
  • The Department of Microbiology is involved in knowing the role of induced oxidative stress and innate defence responses in various human diseases. The ultimate goal is to delineate the complex interrelationships between the oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators, wherein the promise of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapies in controlling progressive disease conditions can be realized. In addition, the role of Integrin binding protein, the role of Kindlin in colon cancer, Nischarin in regulation of intestinal apical epithelial junction and therapeutic targeting of gastric cancer stem cells is being investigated. The department faculty is also involved in designing bioluminescent biosensors for detecting heavy metals and antibiotics in different samples.
  • The thrust area of the Department of Biochemistry includes translational research to explore the biochemical aspects related to the disease metabolism and therapeutics, cancer therapeutics and drug discovery, immunobiology, plant host-microbe and pathogen drug interactions. Identification of lead natural product/ secondary metabolites/ semisynthetic/ synthetic compounds alone or in combination for the management of cancer and other diseases using biochemical/molecular/computer-aided drug discovery approaches are being investigated for disease management.
  • The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is working on Regression Analysis, Copulas, Dependence Modeling, Statistical Inference, Applied Probability, mathematical language of Relativity Theory, Mechanics and Robotics.
  • The Department of Environmental Science and Technology is working on Water pollution and waste water management, development of bio-herbicides, supramolecular and environmental chemistry, nanotechnology, air pollution, geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing, bioenergy/ green technology, membrane technologies and membrane bioreactor (MBR), nutrient removal, microbial fuel cells, solid waste management, air pollution, soil pollution for pesticides and heavy metals and bioremediation (including phytoremediation and rhizoremediation).
  • The Department of Botany is working on Genome editing, Molecular Stress Physiology, Plant and Algal Biodiversity, Floristic Diversity of Antarctica, Anticancer compounds from algae and fungi, Genetics and Applied Genomics, and Plant Metabolic Engineering.
  • The focus of the Departments of Geology and Geography is to pursue and strengthen research in land use and land cover dynamics, land degradation, urban planning, environment geography, isotope geochemistry, low temperature geochemistry, earth surface processes, applied palaeontology, biogeography and vertebrate palaeontology.
  • The Department of Physics is involved in both theoretical and experimental high quality research in the thrust areas like Nanomaterials and its modelling, Biomaterials, Renewable energy device, electron and ion sources etc
  • The thrust area of the Department of Applied Agriculture is to pioneer the development of innovative technologies for conservation and processing of raw material with value addition to meet growing demand of food processing industries.
  • The thrust area of Social Sciences departments is on social structure and social stratification, rural and urban sociology, agrarian relationships, migration and diaspora studies, social change in the context of development and modernisation, problems of the marginalized social groups such as the scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes, minorities and social movements. The thrust areas of economics include Development Economics, Financial Economics, Tourism Economics, and Energy Economics. The focus of research in Mass Communication is Environment, Health & Political Communication, and Debunking Fake News. The Department of South and Central Asian studies is involved in research related to history and Archaeology, Culture and society, polity, economy, geopolitics, and the environment. The aim of departments under the School of Languages is to preserve and promote Indian and Punjabi culture and tradition by exploring tangible cultural heritages.

The Malwa region of Punjab has come under focus because of an increased prevalence of cancer, diabetes, birth defects and other adult onset disorders. Therefore, the University is not only carrying out research to understand the ethnic specific predisposition to these disorders but also conducts activities designed to educate the general public and benefit society. The University has adopted a couple of nearby villages with an aim to provide basic medical advice, conduct laboratory investigations and educate the villagers so that an early intervention is suggested for a better outcome.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers in the University are conducting studies with an aim to contain the spread of the epidemic and facilitate care for those affected and simultaneously understand the economic impact of the disease.
The University is also involved in providing academic and professional guidance and consultancy services to Govt. and Non-Govt. organisations, academic institutions, personal or professional researchers and other organisations related to industry, trade and business.

Notification of Constitution of Sub comittees under R & D Cell

Scopus Publication, h-index & Citations As on  21-02-2023 :
Paper:2150
Citations:33907 
h-index: 73

WoS Publication, h-index & Citations As on  21-02-2023 :

Papers: 1815 
Citations: 26511
h-index: 68

Bifurcation of Top 24 Faculty Members only for STEM Area

S.No. First Name Last Name Designation Department i10-Index (All) i10-Index (Since 2016)
1 Vinod Kumar Garg Professor Environmental Science and Technology 136 120
2 Puneet Kumar Associate Professor Pharmacology 91 73
3 Anjana Munshi Professor Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine 74 60
4 Raj Kumar Professor Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products 58 49
5 Ramakrishna Wusirika Professor Biochemistry 53 34
6 Prashant Sudhir Alegaonkar Associate Professor Physics 41 27
7 Vikas Jaitak Assistant Professor Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products 38 34
8 Sanjeev Kumar Professor Botany 37 37
9 Surender Kumar Sharma Associate Professor Physics 36 24
10 Raghvendra Prasad Tiwari Vice Chancellor Geology 36 15
11 Anil K Mantha Professor Zoology 34 28
12 Vinod Kumar Associate Professor Chemistry 33 27
13 Ashok Kumar Assistant Professor Physics 32 31
14 Monisha Dhiman Professor Microbiology 32 30
15 Anjana Bali Assistant Professor Pharmacology 31 29

Department-wise Research Output during last 5 years (2015 -2020)

S.No. Department Name Total Impact Factor Avg. Impact Factor
1 Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences 120 612.893 5.11
2 Environmental Science and Technology 150 376.949 2.51
3 Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products 108 318.72 2.95
4 Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine 122 286.038 2.34
5 Animal Sciences 84 277.812 3.31
6 Physical Sciences 154 262.959 1.71
7 Chemical Sciences 60 228.134 3.80
8 Mathematics and Statistics 86 148.617 1.73
9 Plant Sciences 117 148.081 1.27
10 Computational Sciences 27 91.411 3.39
11 Administration 23 73.472 3.19
12 Others 156 34.621 3.21
13 Applied Agriculture 19 28.022 1.47
14 Geography and Geology 22 26.459 1.20
15 Computer Science and Technology 56 20.419 0.36

  Patents Applied

Sr. No. Title of Invention Indian  Patent Application No Inventors
1 Novel Fused Heterocycles And Method Of Use And Manufacture Thereof
GRANTED Indian Patent No. 376462
Grant Date: September 06, 2021
201611014161
22/04/2016 Application date
Raj Kumar, Sandeep Singh, Monika Chauhan
2 Method and System for Identification of Isomorphs for Johnson and Strongly Regular Graphs in Polynomial Time 201611009948 Mahesh Kulharia, Suchismita Mohato, Saurav Kumar Jindal, Surinder Singh Khurana, Vicky Kumar
3 Method and System for Identification of Isomorphs for Generalised Johnson Graphs in Polynomial Time 201611016061 Mahesh Kulharia, Suchismita Mahato, Surinder Singh Khurana, Saurav Kumar Jindal, Vicky Kumar
4 Pyrimidine Bridged Biaryl Derivatives as Multi-Targeting agents for the treatment of neurological disorders
GRANTED Indian Patent No 396086
Grant date:  04/05/2022
201811008301
Dated: 2018/03/07
Vinod Kumar, Bhupinder Kumar, Ashish Ranjan Dwivedi through
5. Indazolo (2,3-c) quinazoline based fluorophores and their applications in bioimaging and tagging of drug molecules 201811028230
Dated:2018/07/27
Raj Kumar, Sandeep Singh, Gaurav Joshi, Praveen Sharma
6. Single Step Process for the Direct Preparation of Aromatic Amines from Aromatic Halides and Azides 201911006109
15/02/2019
1. Vinod Kumar
2. Ashish Ranjan Dwivedi
3. Bhupinder Kumar
Through
7. Method and system for assigning unique labels to atoms in a chemical
Compound
201911018211 A
Dated : :07/05/2019
1)Mahesh Kulharia
2)Suchismita Mahato
3)Saurav Kumar JIndal
4)Surinder Singh Khurana
5)Vicky Kumar
6)Kousik Giri 
8. A process of preparation of Jam and a Jam prepared therefrom 202111003426
Dated 25/01/2021
Dr Yashi Srivastva,
Ms. Priya Pal
Ms. Elsa K Mathew
Mr. Muneeb
Ms. Anu KS
Mr. Binoy Sagar GS
9. Development of Disposable DNA Chip by combing of pictogram level DNA through Self Propelled Droplet 202111009506 dated 8/3/21 Dr Hemandra and Prof Ramakrishna Wusirika
10. LNCRNAs based liquid biopsy markers for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis 202111035477
Dated 6/8/21
Prof Aklank Jain, Uttam Sharma, Tushar Singh Barwal (All from CUPB) & Dr Manjeet Kaue Rana (AIIMS, Bathinda)
11.

Solar Multi-Helical Photo-Bio Reactor For Cultivating Bio-Based Material And Method Thereof

202211011272  (Provisional)
March 02, 2022
Dr Felix Bast
12. Preparation Of Molybdenum Diselenide Activated Carbon-Based Electrode For Energy Storage Devices 202211029803
  May 24, 2022
Dr Achche Lal Sharma and Shweta Tanwar


Implementation of Research Internship Scheme at Central University of Punjab, Bathinda


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