The Department of Biochemistry was established in the year 1921 and is the oldest in Asia. Since 1921, the Department of Biochemistry at IISc has been carrying out investigations in diverse areas of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The department served as the nucleus for creation of other centres or departments in IISc as well as establishment of new institutions and industries. The Department celebrated its Golden Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee in 1971 and 1996 respectively. The year 2021 is a new milestone in the history of the Department as it completes 100 years of existence. During its initial years, research in the Department was primarily focused on societal problems of India at that time such as malnutrition, anemia, fluorosis, low agriculture yield, sandal spike disease among others. Societal relevance, rather than journal publication, was the primary goal of research. With the establishment of institutions such as CSIR and ICMR, the focus in the department shifted to basic research. Schools of vigorous research were established to study vitamins and trace elements, lipids, plant biochemistry, enzymology, endocrine biochemistry, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and cytogenetics. The advent of Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA Technology as well as the discovery of DNA structure and genetic code dramatically changed the landscape of research in the department. New areas of research were initiated to study the structure and function of enzymes and proteins, regulation of mRNA and protein synthesis, host-virus interactions, biology of protozoan parasites, biology of mitochondria and chromatin, DNA repair and recombination, plant secondary metabolites, systems biology and metabolomics.

The Department is recognized as center for advanced study by UGC since 1968. Research and core facilities in the department are supported by IISc, DST-FIST program, DBT-IISc partnership program, UGC special assistance program, MHRD IoE etc. The faculty members attract funds from national as well as international funding agencies. The faculty members have deservedly received and continue to receive several awards and distinctions. Alumni of the department have occupied key administrative positions within IISc, other institutions in the country as well as abroad. Some of the faculty have interacted with industries and contributed towards the development of innovative or indigenous technologies. The Department migrated to a new building recently and is forging ahead with 100 years of history behind, constantly adapting to the changing research environment, never deviating from its original objective of carrying out high quality basic research and contributing to the needs of the country.

Utpal S. Tatu
Chair
Department of Biochemistry
Indian Institute of Science