A CME programme is in progress

• Courses handled
• Intake
• Eligibility
• Course duration
• Selection procedure
• Affiliated University
• Academic Curriculum
• Academic schedule
• University Examination details
• CME programme
• Conference
• Awards & Achievements

Courses handled

PG Courses

M.D. ( Biochemistry)
D.C.P
M.Sc.( Medical Biochemistry)
Ph.D ( Medical Biochemistry )
M.Phil ( Medical Biochemistry)

UG Courses 

M.B.B.S
B.D.S.
B.P.T.
B.Pharm
B. Sc. Nursing

Diploma & Certificate courses

D.M.L.T
Medical Record Officer
Medical Record Technician
Emergency care technicians

Intake             

M.D ( Biochemistry  ) –  4 students per year (50% of seats are allotted to students from Tamilnadu state who have completed their M.B.B.S examination from Tamilnadu and 50 % of seats are allotted to students based on rank obtained in All India Post Graduate Entrance Examination by the Director General of Health Services, New Delhi

Eligibility  

M.B.B.S. Degree from any Indian university  recognized by the Medical Council of India & and obtained permanent registration from any of the State Medical Councils  

Course duration             

M.D ( Biochemistry ) – 3 years

Selection procedure

Selection of students for admission to M.D. Biochemistry course is

a) based on the rank obtained in the Tamilnadu Post Graduate Entrance Examination for 50% of seats for students who have completed their M.B.B.S from Tamilnadu .

b)And  for the remaining 50 % of seats, based on rank obtained in the All India Post Graduate Entraqnce Examination conducted by DGHS, Newdelhi

Affiliated University

The Tamil Nadu DR. M.G.R Medical University, Chennai.

Academic Curriculum

M.B.B.S

Biochemistry includes Medical Physics and Molecular Biology. The broad goal of the teaching under-graduate students in bio-chemistry is to make them understand the scientific basis of the life processes at the molecular level and to orient them towards the application of the knowledge acquired in solving clinical problems.

At the end of the course, the student shall be able to:

• Describe the molecular and functional organisation of a cell and lies its subcellular components;

• Delineate structure, function and inter-relationship of biomolecules and consequencies of deviation from normal;

• summarize the fundamental aspects of enzymology and clinical application where in regulation of enzymatic activity is altered.

• describe digestion and assimitation of nutrients and consequently or malnutrition consequences of malnutrition;

• Integrate the various aspects of metabolism and their regulatory pathways;

• Explain the biochemical basis of inherited disorders with their associated sequelae;

• Describe mechanisms involved in maintenance body fluid and pH homeostasis;

• Outline the molecular mechanisms of gene, expression and regulation the principles of genetic engineering and their application in medicine.

• Summarize molecular concept of body defences and their application in medicine.

• Outline the biochemical basis of environmental health hazards, biochemical basis of cancer and carcinogenesis;

• Familiarize with the principles of various conventional and specialisedlaboratory investigations and instrumentation analysis and interpretation of a given data.

• Suggest experiments to support theoretical concepts and clinical diagnosis.

• Make use of conventional techniques/instruments to perform biochemical analysis relevant to clinical screening and diagnosis.

• Analyze and interpret investigative data.

• Demonstrate the skills of solving scientific and clinical problems and decisionmaking. The knowledge acquired in biochemistry shall help the students to integrate molecular events with structure and function of the human body in health and disease.  

M.D ( Biochemistry)

• Concept of Biochemistry regarding biomolecules – carbohydrates, proteins, lipids,

• nucleic acids, enzymes, minerals

• Intermediary metabolism of the above biomolecules & their regulation

• Impairments in metabolism of the carbohydrates, proteins, lipids,

• nucleic acids, enzymes, minerals, including inborn errors of metabolism.

• Role of nutrition in health & disease

• Interpretation of biochemical parameters in health and disease.

• Performing Biochemical techniques like electrophoresis, colorimetry, spectrophotometry, flame photometry ELISA, operation & trouble shooting of automated analysers

•  Techniques in molecular genetics.

• Experiments related to basic and applied biochemistry.

Academic activities

• The Postgraduate students attend Lectures & practical classes taken by the faculty of the Institute during the first year of their along with I M.B.B.S. students.

• During the second year of their study, they are actively involved in performing routine biochemical investigations and special tests in analytical lab .

• During the third year of the study, they complete their dissertation study.

Seminars, Short topic presentation & Journal Clubs

• The department conducts Weekly Journal Clubs analyzing a particular Journal Topic related to clinical biochemistry presented by a post graduate student and moderated by a faculty of the department.

• The department involves postgraduate students in Weekly Seminars, Short topic discussions and encourage them to participate in national conferences to present short title papers in national conferences .

• Every Post-graduate student maintains a log book as a record of skills acquired during the training period, including training undergone outside the institution. which is periodically scrutinized by the Director & Head of the Institute and certified at the time of University examinations. The Log Book is submitted at the time of University practical examination for the scrutiny by the Board of Examiners.

• PG students regularly participate in the teaching and training programme of post-graduate and intern-students.

• All post graduate students, as part of the curriculum, are assigned a topic of clinical interest for dissertation by the Director in order  to learn, design, coduct research studies, interpret data and perform statistical analysis of data . A Professor supervises and guies the PG student to see that the dissertations are done properly by utilizing the clinical materials of the Govt.General Hospital, Chennai.

• No marks are given for the dissertation in the university examination and the Board of Examiners mark whether the dissertation either “Approved” or “Not Approved”.

Academic schedule

M.B.B.S

• The students study Bio chemistry for a period of one year during 1styearof M.B.B.S. are divided into 2 batches. Theory and practical classes are conducted by all teaching faculty of the department. As per norms laid down by Medical Council of India ,240 hours are allocated in the first M.B.B.S. to teach biochemistry to students

• Three hours per week is allotted to theory classes for the entire batch and 4 hours for practical to each batch

• Seminars and group discussions involving participation of students are conducted every month

• Periodic Internal Assessment tests both in theory & practicals and viva voce are conducted. A minimum of 5 - 6 internal assessment tests are conducted through out the year

• A model theory & practical examination is conducted prior to the university examination in the month of July

• The academic progress and attendance detail of each student is communicated to the parents in the months of December and June every year.

B.D.S

• Theory and practical classes are conducted by all teaching faculty of the department. Theory classes are conducted for two hours every week and practical classes are conducted for 2 hours every week for the entire batch

• Periodic Internal Assessment tests both in theory & practicals are conducted. A minimum of 4-5 theory internal assessment tests are conducted through out the year

• A model theory & practical examination is conducted prior to the university examination in the month of July

• The academic progress and attendance detail of each student is communicated to the parents in the months of December and June every year.

B.Pharm

• Theory and practical classes are conducted by all teaching faculty of the department. Theory classes are conducted for three hours per week for the entire batch and practical classes are conducted for 2 hours every week.

• Periodic Internal Assessment tests both in theory & practicals are conducted. A minimum of 4-5 internal assessment tests are conducted through out the year

• A model theory & practical examination is conducted prior to the university examination in the month of July

B.Sc.Nursing

• Theory classes are conducted by all teaching faculty of the department. Theory classes are conducted for two hours per week for the entire batch Periodic Internal Assessment tests both in theory are conducted. A minimum of 4-5 internal assessment tests are conducted through out the year

• A model theory examination is conducted prior to the university examination in the month of July

M.D ( Biochemistry)

• The Postgraduate students attend Lectures & practical classes taken by the faculty of the Institute during the first year of their along with I M.B.B.S. students

• During the second year of their study, they are actively involved in performing routine biochemical investigations and special tests in analytical lab

• During the third year of the study, they complete their dissertation study.

University Examination details

M.D ( Biochemistry)

Theory

The Post Graduate students write 4 theory papers each of 100 Marks and of 3 hours duration (Total 400 marks) at the end of the 3rd  year
Paper I - Physical and Organic aspects of Biochemistry, Biostatistics, Biochemical Techniques and Instrumentation
Paper II – Cel Physiology, Molecular Biology, Human Genetics, & Immunology Intermediate Metabolism and Nutrition
Paper  III – Intermediary Metabolism, Macro and Micronutrients, Inborn Errors of Metabolism,
Paper IV – Clinical Biochemistry, Human Nutrition, Endocrinology, Immunology, Recent Advances in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Practical

Part – I

• General Biochemistry. Qualitative identification of an unknown amino acids or sugar and confirmation by chromatography 
• Preparation of a standard graph for a given analyte
• Interpretation of clinical data (4 cases) from cases on endocrine diseases, electrolyte and acid base disorders, mineral metabolism, analysis of body fluids, lipid profile, etc.,

Part – II

• Clinical examination of a patient, making of a provisional diagnosis and giving differential diagnosis, giving a list of relevant investigations
• Two to Three clinical biochemistry exercises, including separation of proteins by electrophoresis

M.B.B.S

Paper I

• Molecular and functional organisation of the cell and its subcelular components.
• Chemistry, Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, Metabolism of Carbohydrates and disorders of carbohydrate metabolism.
• Chemistry, Digestion and absorption of lipids, Metabolism of lipids and disorders of lipid metabolism.
• Enzymes.
• Vitamins.
• Electron transport chain and Biological oxidation.
• Citric acid Cycle and Metabolic integration.
• Nutrition.
• Heme synthesis, Porphyrins, hemoglobin and metabolism of Bilirubin.

Paper II

• Chemistry, Digestion, absorption and metabolism of proteins, inborn errors in Protein
• metabolism.
• Chemistry of purines, metabolism of Purines, Hyperuricemias.
• Molecular Biology.
• Maintenance of Fluid and Electrolytes.
• Maintenance of pH and acid base disorders.
• Xenobiotics and cancer chemistry.
• Minerals.
• Hormones. 9. Laboratory instrumentation, investigation and interpretation

B.D.S

Theory

The Theory paper is common to both Physiology & Biochemistry with 45 marks for each subject and 5 marks for internal assessment in each subject. But students have to obtain minimum marks separately in physiology & biochemistry theory & practical in the university examination to qualify for a pass

Practicals

Practical exercise – I     Quantitative - Major experiment with case discussion

Practical exercise – II    Qualitative Experiment Minor experiment

B.Sc.Nursing

Basic Nursing Course

The Theory paper is common to both Biochemistry & Nutrition with 38 & 37 marks respectively and 12.5  marks for internal assessment in each subject. But students have to obtain minimum marks in each (Biochemistry & Nutrition) theory paper separately to qualify for a pass

Post- Basic Nursing Course

The Theory paper is common to both Biochemistry & Biophysics  with 38 & 37 marks respectively and 12.5  marks for internal assessment in each subject. But students have to obtain minimum marks in each (Biochemistry & Biophysics) theory paper separately to qualify for a pass .

Continuing Medical Education Programmes (CMEs)

Quality control workshop - 2009

• 15th December 2001 – A One-day workshop on ‘Coagulation profile’ – where preparation of reagents for coasgulation assays, techniques of performing PT, aPTT & Factor Deficiency Assays were demonstrated by Dr. Shanthi Naidu of Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences  .

• 27th April  2002  – A one-day workshop of ‘Quality Assurance’ as part of strengthening of laboratories was conducted under the aegis of NDCP (National Diabetes Control Programme) in which Achieving  Quality Assurance in Clinical laboratories was discussed.

• January 2003 -   A One-day CME programme on ‘A critical approach to Arterial Blood Gas Analysis’ was conducted with guest speakers from the departments of General Medicine, Anesthesia, Chest Medicine & Cardiology of Govt.general Hospital .

• 13th July 2007 - one-day Workshop on Chromatographic techniques – Applications in Biochemistry in association with ICMR & Tamilnadu DR.M.G.R. Medical University – Techniques of Paper chromatography, Thin Layer Chromatography & Ion Exchange Chromatography were demonstrated.

• 27th October 2006 – One day CME programme on ‘ An update on Hydrogen Ion   homeostasis’ .

• 30th June 2008 - One-day CME programme on ‘Quality Control in Laboratory’  in association with the Quality Council of India on 30th June 2008 in which Dr A.Renuka, Director of Institute, spoke on the pre-analytical variables in clinical laboratory  Dr.Thupil Venkatesh, Advisor QCI India & Lead Assessor NABL, spoke on the aspects of Medical Laboratory Accreditation and ISO 15189:2003 standards. Mr.Bijesh of Bio-Rad talked about Statistical Methods & Techniques in Quality Control.

• 24th October 2008 - CME on ‘Endothelium in Health & Disease’ in Dr.Pragn B.Dolia spoke on the role of endothelium in the pathogenesis of Diabetes Mellitus & Atherosclerosis  & Dr.V.K.Ramadesiakn spoke on the role of Endothelium in Health .

Guest Lectures Delivered

• ‘Estimated GFR and Kidney Disease’ at the Annual Conference of Medical Biochemists of India, Chandigarh, (AMBI 2008) November, 2008 by Dr.K.Ramadevi

• ‘Endothelium in Health & Disease’ – Sree Balajee  Medical College & Hospital, Chrompet, Chennai, 24th July 2009 by Dr.Pragna B.Dolia & Dr.V.K.Ramadesiakan

•  ‘Analytical Errors in Laboratory’ as part of CME on ‘Quality Control in Clinical laboratories’ organized by M/s Bio-Rad  Laboratories on 5th June 2009 in Chennai by Dr.Pragna B.Dolia

• ‘Interpretation of arterial blood gas results’, at the Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad on 9th July 2009 by Dr.Pragna B.Dolia

•  ‘Biochemical changes in organ phosphorus poisoning’ by Dr.Pragna B.Dolia organized by the Department of Toxicology & Intensive Medical Care Unit, Govt.General Hospital Chennai in 10th March 2007

• ‘Up, Close & Personal ISO 15189:2003’ – Amritha Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin, 2006 by Dr.V.K.Ramadesikan

• ‘Principles of Equipment in Clinical Laboratory’ –Global Hospitals, Chennai by Dr.V.K.Ramadesikan, July 2009

• Laboratory Accreditation –What, Why & How, - at ‘Labcon 2009’, the first edition of conference on clinical diagnostics by Federation of Hospital Administrators, in Meenakshi Mission, Madurai on 14-15 February by Dr.V.K.Ramadesikan

• Common NCs in  Laboratory Accreditation – at ‘ Labcon 2009 ’, the first edition of conference on clinical diagnostics by Federation of Hospital Administrators, in Meenakshi Mission, Madurai on 14-15 February by Dr.V.K.Ramadesikan

Conferences

National Conferences

• Serum Leptin in Chronic Renal Failure – by Dr.Amuthavalli at the 10th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India at Kolkotta, January 2003

• Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin in Alcohol Dependency-  by Dr.Madubala,  at the 10th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India at Kolkotta, January 2003

• Dietary Constituents Among Urban Educated Middle Class: A preliminary report-  The World Congress for the prevention of Diabetes, Chennai, Feb 2005 Dr.K.Ramadevi 

•  Plasma Ferritin and Fibrinogen in Stroke Patients: a Preliminary Study -The 33rd Annual Conference of Association of Clinical Biochemists of India , PUNE, Nov, 2008 by Dr.K.Ramadevi

• Circulating Plasma Nucleic Acids as  Diagnostic Tool - at the 36th Annual Conference of Association of Clinical Biochemists of India, Kochi, Nov 2009 by Dr.K.Ramadevi  

•  GSTM1 Genotype & Susceptibility to Oral Cancer in a South Indian Population at the 16th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India, Chandigarh , November 2008 by Dr.poonghuzhali Gopinath

• Asssociation of Paraoxanase Gene Polymorphism & the resultant decrease in the enzyme activity with  coronary atherosclerosis by C.Shanmugapriya at the 16th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India, Chandigarh , November 2008

• Asssociation of Apo E Gene Polymorphism with essential Hypertension by G.Komala at the 16th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India, Chandigarh , November 2008

• Oxidative stress in traumatic brain injury at the 17th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India, Wardha,Nagpur ,in December 2009 by Dr. Sangeetha Shivkumar

• Association of ACE gene I / D polymorphism with Coronary Atherosclerosis by Dr.A. Leena Devi at the 17th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India, Wardha,Nagpur ,in December 2009

• Serum hsCRP and adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus by Dr. Mohan Kumaresh the 17th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India, Wardha,Nagpur ,in December 2009

• ‘Association of CYP17 gene polymorphism with Carcinoma Prostate & Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia’ by Dr.V.Ananthan, at the 17th Annual Conference of Association of Medical  Biochemists of India, Wardha,Nagpur ,in December 2009

International Conferences

• Serum magnesium levels in Acute Myocardial Infarction – 9th Asian Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry Newdelhi, March 2002 Dr. K.Ramadevi

• A study of serum Homocysteine & serum Magnesium in Acute Myocardial Infarction -  9th Asian Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry Newdelhi, March 2002 Dr.K.Ramadevi

• Inborn Errors of Metabolism in South India Dr.K.Ramadevi, 11th Asian Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry,, Beijing, China, Oct 2007

• Prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism Among a Random Urban Population. Dr.K.Ramadevi – Euromedlab 2009, Innsbruck, Austria June 2009

• Serum Paraoxonase Activity in Cirrhosis of Liver, Dr.K.Ramadevi, Euromedlab 2009, Innsbruck, Austria, June 2009

• The Biochemical and Molecular Basis of a case of Berardinelli Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy,  11th International CVongress of Inborn Errors of Metabolism San Diego U.S.A. August –September 2009

Awards & Achievements

• EQAS (External Quality Assurance) in Clinical Biochemistry - The clinical biochemistry laboratory of Madras Medical College is the only laboratory among Tamilnadu Govt. Medical Institutions to participate in External Quality Assurance Scheme for Clinical Biochemistry organized by Christian Medical College, Vellore & ACBI since 2003 and in EQAS programme organized by Bio-Rad laboratories since July 2008.

• Dr.Pragna B.Dolia is one of the facilitators of the Tamilnadu DR.M.GR. Medical University Chennai for “Training Educators of Medicine”

• Dr.C.Shanmuga Priya, Assistant Professor was awarded given the “Young Scientist Award” in AMBICON 2008 conference of the Association of Medical Biochemists of India held at Chandigarh, Haryana in November 2008 for the paper titled ‘Association of Paraoxanase Gene Polymorphism & the resultant decrease in the enzyme activity with coronary atherosclerosis’

• Dr.V.Ananthan, M.D. Biochemistry, Post graduate student  was awarded the First Prize for Best paper in the 17th Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Biochemists of India held at Wardha, Maharashtra from 10th to 13th  December 2009 for the paper titled ‘Association of CYP17 gene polymorphism with Carcinoma Prostate & Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia’

• The Post Graduate students won 2nd Prize in Biochemistry Quiz Competition held 17th Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Biochemists of India at Wardha, Maharashtra from 10th to 13th December 2009

Medals & Prizes awarded by the department

Col.Van Geyzal Prize examination

The department conducts a prize examination for 1st M.B.B.S. students in the subject of biochemistry (theory paper only) at the end of the academic every year and awards prizes.

The student who scores the highest mark in the prize examination is given the coveted Col. Van Geyzal Prize.

The students who score the second & third highest marks in the prize examination are given I Certificate of Honour & II Certificate of Honour respectively during Annual College Day Celebrations .

List of Winners of prize examination