MADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY BIOCHEMISTRY

Establishment / genesis

The subject of Biochemistry is taught as a part of UG curriculum for obtaining degree in Veterinary Sciences. Till 1981, it was taught under the aegis of Microbiology and Biochemistry. Then Biochemistry was merged with Department of Veterinary Physiology and started functioning as Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, till 2003. The Department was bifurcated from the Department of Veterinary Physiology & Biochemistry and started functioning separately as Department of Veterinary Biochemistry from 2004.

Mission

Department of Veterinary Biochemistry is a constitutional unit of MVC imparting quality education and carrying out research on metabolic disorders, renal disorders and cancer in animals.

Vision

Department of Veterinary Biochemistry aims to bring down the incidence of metabolic disorders, renal disorders and cancer in animals in Tamil Nadu through quality education, sustained and fruitful research and result oriented extension activities.

Objectives

To offer quality education in Veterinary Biochemistry using modern education technology to equip veterinarians to meet challenges in the field.
Imparting diagnostic skills to the undergraduates and post graduates in controlling metabolic disorders.
To carry out research in the identified thrust areas.

Education

UG programme

B.V.Sc & A.H – 01 course (as per VCI regulations, 2016). The Veterinary Biochemistry course consists of:

1. Unit I – General Veterinary Biochemistry
2. Unit II – Intermediary Metabolism
3. Unit III – Veterinary Analytical Biochemistry

PG programme

M.V.Sc in Veterinary Biochemistry was started in 2010 and 13 courses are offered (as per ICAR Regulations, 2021 and TANUVAS Recommendations 2022). A total of 16 candidates have been awarded the M.V.Sc. degree up to the academic year 2025–26.

Doctoral programme

Ph.D. in Veterinary Biochemistry was started in 2019 and 13 courses are offered (as per ICAR Regulations, 2021 and TANUVAS Recommendations 2022). Ph.D. degree has been awarded to one candidate till the academic year 2025–26.

Research

Thrust areas of research

Control of metabolic disorders
Identification of diagnostic markers in cardiac and renal disorders
Development of therapeutic intervention for treatment of renal disorders.

Ongoing / Completed Research Projects

Department Internal Project on “Chemical composition of Ass’s milk” sponsored by TANUVAS, 2006-08.
Student Project on "Assay of Poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in Ass's Milk" sponsored by Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, 2007-08.
Research project on "Evaluation of Xanthine Oxidase as a Biochemical Marker for Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Canines" sponsored by Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, 2010-12.
Research project on “In vitro and in vivo nephroprotective evaluation of AYUSH-K1 extract” funded by Ministry of Ayush, GOI, 2018-19.
Sub-project on “Effect of Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract on expression of genes associated with regeneration of pancreatic islet in experimentally induced diabetic rats sponsored by TANUVAS, 2019-20.
Research project on “Evaluation of Ashtangahridaykota brihatyadigana for their efficacy in preclinical models of acute renal failure in rats”, funded by Ministry of Ayush, GOI, 2019 onwards.

Salient Research Findings

Control of metabolic disorders – Preliminary research work on the use of plant products including vegetable oils and nano composites for control of diabetes mellitus in experimental laboratory animals have shown promising results.
Control of metabolic disorders – Preliminary research work on the use of Tinospora cardifolia leaf extracts for therapeutic effect on the experimentally induced diabetic laboratory animals have shown profound effect.
Control of metabolic disorders – Serum Lipid profiling of obese dogs has been performed and has given an insight about the PUFA enriched designer diet to prevent / alleviate obesity in dogs.
Control of metabolic disorders – Methanolic extracts of Macrotyloma uniflorum seed extracts have shown a profound anti-obesity effect so that they can be used as candidate therapeutic agent in the treatment of obesity.
Identification of diagnostic markers in cardiac and renal disorders – role of Xanthine oxidase in DCM of dogs and Cystatin C in CRD of dogs as diagnostic marker has been established.
Identification of therapeutic markers in renal disorders – Development of therapeutic intervention for treatment of renal disorders - role of Ayush K1 extract in treatment of CKD in experimental animals has shown promising results.
Identification of therapeutic markers in renal disorders – Dose range finding of experimental rats for the evaluation of Ashtangahridaya Kotta Brihatyadi Gana has been carried out.

Research facilities available

UV-VIS Spectrophotometer	Flame photometer
Thermal cycler	Analytical balances
Horizontal electrophoresis system	High speed cooling centrifuges
Vertical electrophoresis system	Ice flaking machine
Mini Trans-Blot Module	Deep freezers (-20°C & -80°C)
Trans-illuminator	Tissue Homogeniser
Dry bath	pH meters
Orbital shaker	Hot air oven

Faculty

Name of the Faculty	Designation	E-mail	Mobile#
Dr.SESH,P.S.L	PROFESSOR AND HEAD	pslsesh@gmail.com	9840563107
Dr.SATHEESH KUMAR,T	ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR	satheeshkumar_vet@yahoo.com	9789781939
Dr.BHUVANA,M	ASSISTANT PROFESSOR	dr.bhuvana@gmail.com	9994174160

The Professor and Head,
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry,
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007.
Phone: +91-44-25304000
E-mail: hodvbcmvc@tanuvas.org.in