1. Marine Microbiome To Ascertain The Role Of Microbes In Biogeochemical Cycling In The Eastern Arabian Sea (Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)- Science and Engineering Research Board) 2022-2025. Sanctioned Amount: 23.67 lakhs
2. Microbial Carbonic Anhydrase Enzyme-Based Carbon Management Using Different Environmental Samples (CSIR-Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-ASPIRE Scheme) 2025-2028. Sanctioned Amount: 26.18 lakhs
3. Understanding the metabolic architecture of microbial communities using deep ocean metagenome. (Deep Ocean Mission, Ministry of Earth Sciences) 2025-2027. Sanctioned Amount: 165.88 lakhs

1. UGC-SR grants- Whole-genome analysis of marine microbial community for novel feed enzymes
F. No. 41-527/2012/(SR) dated 17-July, 2012; UGC, Dr.Sarita G Bhat- PI 2012-Dec 2015; Sanctioned Amount- Rs. 14,40,800
2. CMLRE-MoES project- Screening and Isolation of Potential bioactive molecules from the Deep sea organisms including bacteria; No.MoES/10-MLR/2/2012 dt 13.02-2008 ;MoES- Dr.Sarita G Bhat- PI ,Dr. M. Chandrasekaran- Co-PI., 2012-2016; Sanctioned Amount- Rs. 87,50,000
3. KSCSTE (Govt. of Kerala) SRS-Salmonella lytic bacteriophages for application as biocontrol agents; F.No.009/SRSHS/2012/ CSTE dated 20th Nov 2013; Dr. Sarita G Bhat- PI; 2014-2017; Sanctioned Amount- Rs. 17,40,600
4. Kerala State Biodiversity Board project- Riverine biodiversity monitoring with reference to mangroves in comparison with pre-flood data; Dr. Sarita G Bhat –PI; Dr.Sreekanth P.M-CoPI;20-12.2018 to 30.6.2019(6.5 months); Sanctioned Amount- Rs. 2,40,000/-
5. Kerala State Biodiversity Board project- Metagenomic analysis of soil microbial diversity in post-flood mangroves; Dr. Sarita G Bhat –PI, Dr. Bindiya E.S –Co-PI,20-12.2018 to 30.6.2019 (6.5 months); Sanctioned Amount- Rs. 6,95,000/-
6. DBT- BIOCARE project- Development of Antibacterial Catheters for Preventing Nosocomial Infections from Therapeutically Modulated Natural Rubber Latex Formulation; Dr. Sailaja G. S-PI, Dr. Sarita G Bhat CoPI, Dr. Ajith Vengellur, 2016-2019; Sanctioned Amount- Rs. 54,00,000/-
7. DST SERB project-Characterization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and kispeptin systems in the catfish: Heteropneustess fossilis: crosstalks and interactions in the control of gonadotropin secretion; DST, Dr. K.P Joy PI, Dr. Sarita G Bhat Co-PI;2017-2020; Sanctioned Amount- Rs. 49,85,000/-
8 DBT- project Search for novel anticancer Secondary metabolite from endophytic fungi of selected marine algae and evaluation of their mechanism of action; DBT; Dr. Jayabhaskaran PI(IISc), Dr. Sarita G. Bhat PI(CUSAT) ; 41,784,00/- (IISc)+30,732,00/- (DBT, CUSAT);2017-2021
9. UGC-FRPS Mid-career award project- Probiotic modulation of immune response, gut diversity and gut-brain axis in inflammatory/stress models of Danio rerio (zebrafish); Dr. Sarita G Bhat PI; (on UGC website, Sanction not received) Rs. 10,0000/-;2021-24
10. Development of various microbial models of IBD in Zebrafish and evaluation of ameliorative capacity of novel parabiotic (bacterial extravesicular secretions) formulation isolated from fermented foods. ICMR Small Extramural Grants; 2025-2027. Sanctioned amount: 109.55 lakhs

1. Development of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle approach for enhancing radio iodide avidity in papillary thyroid carcinoma by augmenting the expression of the sodium iodide symporter. UGC-RUSA; 2023-2025. Sanctioned amount: 45.72 lakhs
2. Role of PACAP in adult neurogenesis and neural plasticity under oxidative stress. DST-SURE; 2023-2026. Sanctioned amount: 25.08 lakhs.

1. KSCSTE YIPB project - Title: The role of gp130 - associated cytokines in the regulation of adult Neurogenesis - (PI)Duration- 3 years (2017-2020); Sanctioned Amount- 25.3 Lakhs
2. University-Start-up Grant - Title: Generation and characterization of dopaminergic neurons from peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PI) Duration- 3 years (2017-2020); Sanctioned Amount- 2.5 Lakhs
3. UGC-Start-up Grant - Title: Investigating the Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-alpha in Neuronal Homeostasis under Normoxia using Primary Cortical Neuronal Culture (Co-PI) Duration- 3 years (2017-2020); Sanctioned Amount- 10 Lakhs
4. ICMR Extra Mural grant -Exploring the human gut microbiome and metabolome in health and Parkinson’s disease-a window to the gut microbiota brain axis alterations in Parkinson’s disease Multicentre project in collaboration with Sree Chitra Institute of Medical Science (PI) Duration- 3 years (2019- 2022); Sanctioned Amount- 1.2 Crore
5. CUSATECH Foundation and AKAY Natural Ingredients Pvt. Ltd. (University-Industry collaborative project) Development of bioavailable formulations of phytonutrients with cognitive and memory-enhancing properties for the management of neurovegetative conditions and traumatic brain injury. (PI) Duration- 3 years (2020-2023); Sanctioned Amount- 50 Lakhs
6. Chancellors Award grant – Title: Biocompatible 3D Scaffolding through Femtosecond Laser Photopolymerization for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (Co-PI) Duration- 3 years (2020-2023); Sanctioned Amount- 4 Crore
7. Elucidating the role of CNTF/BDNF signaling on adult neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity under neuroinflammation mediated by gut. DST – DAAD Project- based Personnel Exchange Programme “Indo-German Joint Research Collaboration. DST-DAAD Grant; 2024-2026. Sanctioned amount: 13.92 lakhs
8. Exploration of marine microbial resources for the discovery of potential drug candidates with biomedical applications, Sanctioned amount: 138. 63 lakhs
9. Optimization and transplantation of rat blood derived stem cells using a novel biodegradable scaffold for treating Parkinson’s Disease. UGC-RUSA Grant; 2023-2025. Sanctioned amount: 58.53 lakhs
10. A Dual- Platform Approach Combining Raman Spectroscopy and Proteomics for Minimally- Invasive Biomarker Discovery in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Focus on the Elderly Population of South India. Ignite Life Science Foundation; 2025-2026. Sanctioned amount: 29.99 lakhs

1. Designing and Development of GBA1-L444P corrected cells using CRISPR/Cas9 tool as a potential therapy for Gaucher Disease, Funded by DHR/ICMR -2020-23. Sanctioned amount: 30 lakhs
2. Search for the potential biofluid markers for the early diagnosis and effective
prognosis of pulmonary fibrosis, SEED GRANT funded by CUSAT, 2020-2022. Sanctioned amount: 2.5 lakhs

. Riverine biodiversity monitoring with reference to Mangroves in comparison with pre-flood data” Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) Govt. of Kerala (Co-Principal Investigator) 2018-2019
2. Fine-scale genetic structuring of Mangrove tree Avicennia marina in ecologically important areas of Kerala coast” Research Grant project funded by Startup Research Grant project funded by SERB-DST Govt. of India (Principal Investigator) (2015-2018)
3. Whole-Genome Resequencing of native true mangrove tree- Avicennia marina in eco-geographic regions of Kerala coast: Implication in conservation' Principal Investigator Dr. Sreekanth (SEED GRANT State Plan Grant of University)
4. Screening and Identification of high-efficiency genome-wide SSR markers in true mangroves of Rhizophora sp. for taxonomic identity and population structure from the West coast of India (SERB SCP funded project). Sanctioned amount: 45 lakhs.
5. Phenology and spatial genetic structure of Kandelia candel (Rhizophoraceae) a rare viviparous mangrove species endemic to Kannur district of Kerala (KSCSTE funded project). Sanctioned amount: 16.44 lakhs

1. Project title- Exploring the molecular regulation of antiviral silencing during CMD in Cassava, Duration- 2020-2022. Sanctioned amount: 200000.

1. Title: Target-specific stealth delivery of clusters of inherently immunostimulatory nanogranules incorporating an immunomodulator with chemotherapeutics for improved breast cancer therapy; Agency: DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (ongoing) 2020-2025; Sanctioned amount: 1.34 Crores

Targeting the Lung-Brain Axis in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Assessing the Efficacy of Choline in Mitigating Hyperoxia-induced lung and brain injuries. Biomedical Research Grant NRI HRD, ICMR; 2024-2027. PI: Sanctioned amount: 88.93 lakhs

M.Sc Biotechnology course is designed to cover the comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge to equip graduates with the necessary proficiency to become the next generation of bioscientists to lead new innovations in academia, industry and healthcare. This Masters course includes subjects such as cellular and molecular biology, rDNA technology, genetic engineering, immunology, bioprocess technology, enzymology and bioinformatics. In addition there are elective subjects which the students can choose based on their interests such as environmental biotechnology, animal biotechnology, nano biotechnology, medical and industrial Biotechnology. Students usually do their Masters project work (Semester 4) either in CUSAT or in other prestigious institutes such as IIT, IISc, NIIST and IISER. Career opportunities available for Biotechnology post-graduates includes positions in research institutes, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical & nutraceutical sectors, pharmacovigilance, fermentation industries, food and dairy industries and bioenergy sector. The department has a team of highly efficient and well qualified teaching faculty with a good experience in teaching and research. There is a breadth of research expertise among the faculty members, with each of them specializing in different thrust areas.
Eligibility: B.Sc Life science Subjects/ Biotechnology from recognised University/Institution.

Microbiology, a classical discipline in Biological Sciences, is an extremely diverse field. The Masters course includes basic and application level subjects such as cell and molecular biology, microbial biotechnology, genetic engineering, immunology, bioprocess technology, rDNA technology and marine microbiology. Students usually do their Masters project work (Semester 4) either in CUSAT or in other prestigious institutes such as IIT, IISc, NIIST and IISER. Ample career opportunities are available for Microbiology post-graduates in diverse areas including research institutes, pharmaceutical & nutraceutical sectors, hospitals, analytical laboratories, fermentation industries, food and dairy industries, catering industries, bioenergy sector and in biotechnology companies/start-ups. The department has a team of highly efficient and well qualified teaching faculty with a good experience in teaching and research. There is a breadth of research expertise among the faculty members, with each of them specializing in different thrust areas.
Eligibility: B.Sc Life science Subjects/ Microbiology from recognised University/Institution.

PhD degree provides the research fellow advanced and specialized training in a particular area of research. The research areas a PhD student can focus include microbiology, cell & molecular Biology, neurobiology and cancer biology. The choice of research area will depend on the project/faculty that he/she joins. The student has to complete course works (in relevant subjects) during their PhD tenure. Students get an opportunity to participate in national/international conferences and internships during the tenure of PhD program.
Eligibility: Post graduation in Life Science Subjects from a recognised college/ university or M. Phil. Degree in the relevant discipline.

The Department of Biotechnology offers a five-year Integrated MSc in Biological Sciences. Eligible candidates must have a minimum of 50% in their qualifying examination, with Biology, Physics, and Chemistry as subjects.This interdisciplinary program is designed to immerse students in a research-intensive environment, combining rigorous theoretical coursework with extensive hands-on laboratory training in fields like Genomics, Proteomics, and Molecular Biology. Beyond the classroom, the curriculum emphasizes industry readiness through mandatory internships and a terminal research project, facilitating a direct transition into global PhD programs or high-level roles in the biotech industry.

Both internships and dissertations offer incredible opportunities to deepen your academic knowledge, develop practical skills, and explore potential career paths. If you're interested in undertaking an internship or dissertation, please reach out to a faculty member whose expertise matches your area of interest.