Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science & Technology

PRIST UNIVERSITY
(U/s 3 of UGC Act 1956)

Thanjavur 613 403 - Tamil Nadu - India

Centre for Research and Development

Information Brochure - 2014

Authorities

Prof. P. Murugesan
Chancellor

Prof. C. Nagarajan
Pro - Chancellor

Prof. N. Ethirajalu
Vice - Chancellor

Prof. V. Manivannan
Director

ayam Institute
Ponnaiyah Ramaj

nology

of Science & Tech

Centre for Research and Development

Promoting Science and Technology with

Social Benefits

CONTENTS
1. Message from the Chancellor
2. About the Centre
3. Vision for Research
4. Research Faculty
5. Research Activities
6. Collaborative Research
7. Major Contributions
8. Conferences/Workshops Organized
9. Research Projects
10.Consultancy
11. Interdisciplinary Research
12. Incubation and Entrepreneurship Development
13. Extension Activities

Prof. P. Murugesan
Chancellor
Message from the Chancellor
Our Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology (PRIST), a Deemed
University U/s 3 of the UGC Act 1956, is one of the renowned units of Ponnaiyah
Ramajayam Institutions, which are serving for more than 25 years in promoting quality
education and research for our Indian community, since its inception as Ram Institute of
Computer Science and Technology in the year 1985. The main purpose of bringing such
an institute was to introduce computer education to the people of Thanjavur District for
the first time. The institution is now brimming with many social responsibilities,
particularly in promoting quality education through research. Our research and
development (R&D) unit at PRIST University is young, dynamic, and marching forward
with remarkable achievements of more than 670 publications in peer-reviewed national
and international journals in the last 5 years and coming-up with many patents to its
credit. Prospering in world-class research on thrust areas of specific subjects that can
provide solutions with a positive impact on the quality of human life, solutions to day-today challenges, and contribute to the knowledge expansion is our vision. PRIST joined
hands with leading international Universities of high repute in the US, the UK, Korea,
Japan, Israel, and China to achieve its mission. Research grants from Department of
Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Defence Research
and Development Organization (DRDO), World Noni Research Foundation, (WNRF),
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), DST-Government of India and Ministry of
Education, Science and Technology (MEST) at Republic of Korea are the significant
recognitions of our research progress. Therefore, I strongly believe that our R&D is on the
right track in achieving its vision.

About the Centre

The Centre for Research and Development (CRD) with cutting-edge technology
had been established at PRIST University in the academic year 2008 to help the
society in promoting science and technology on energy, environment, food,
materials, biomolecules and mechanisms, drugs discovery, and stem cells
platforms. The centre is housed in an independent, multi-storied building with
state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure to help achieve its mission. The
centre has dedicated laboratories for Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,
Environmental Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology, Molecular Microbiology,
Analytical and Organic Chemistry, Physical Sciences, Plant Tissue Culture,
Animal Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceuticals.
The centre with 27 scientists from different disciplines is now marching on to
attain on par excellence in academic and research activities under the
directions of Prof.V.Manivannan. Taken together, our entire efforts are
dedicated towards developing new materials/devices, functional
biomolecules, microorganisms, biological mechanisms, and determining
their utilization in the interest of human welfare.

Biomolecular
Engineering

Energy and
Environment
Designing new processes utilixing new improved
recombinant microorganisms and innovative
materials in addressing challenging issues with
alternative energy and environment for the benefit of
the nation

Engineering DNA, proteins and microbial

metabolic pathways for deriving new
mechanisms, new molecules and biochemicals.

Materials and
Manufacturing

Drug Discovery
and Development

Understanding the physiological functions of

many uncharacterized plant derived
traditional medicines and transforming the
knowledge to the benefit of human health
care

Vi
si
on

Inventing new materials and create

competitive manufacturing technologies
for improved applications in human
welfare

Drug Discovery
Drug discovery division is involved in identifying plant-derived lead bioactive
compounds with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. The core
activities of this division include identification and screening of medicinal
plants, preparation of compounds utilizing nanosuspension technology, clinical
trials for the disease of interest, toxicological studies with animal models,
interaction of herbal compounds, purification and understanding the chemistry
of lead compounds, understanding the mechanisms of drug actions in animal
models, safety and risk management with pharmacology, and understanding
pharmacokinetics of bioactive lead compounds for the benefit of human
healthcare.

Energy and Environment

This division examines way to find, improve and commercialize
renewable energy routes, systems and devices. The research areas
include bio-alternatives and nanomaterials for harnessing solar
energy to generate electricity and development of cost-effective
technologies for wind mill devices. Development of recombinant
microorganisms and bioprocesses for the production of bioenergy
(bioethanol, biohydrogen and biobutanol) from renewable energy
sources is also one of the main focuses of this platform. The other
main areas include pollution control monitoring and studies
related to sustainable development .

Materials and
Manufacturing
This division is involved in developing materials and devices with
special mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties utilizing
material engineering and applied sciences for value added
applications. The major focus of this division includes manufacturing of
innovative and improved amphibian cars which can run on water and
ground, synthesizing nanomaterials for harnessing solar energy,
development of cost-effective wind mill devices, and production of
industrially important new materials.

Biomolecular Engineering
This division involves in bringing molecular level solutions to the challenging issues in life
sciences, particularly in healthcare, agriculture, energy and environment. Our Biomolecular
division is engineering DNA, proteins, plants, and microbial metabolic pathways for diagnosis,
crop improvement, disease resistance in plants, and improving thermodynamic and kinetics of
chemical reactions.

Dr. V. Manivannan
Director CRD

Field of specialization: Spectroscopy, Astrophysics, Crystallography and Material science

Contact: (Tel) +91 9962559360; (email) pristcrd@gmail.com; manivan1948@yahoo.com
Dr. Manivannan has received his Ph.D. degree in Material Science with the specialization
in X-Ray structure analysis of biologically important molecules from Bharathidasan
University, India. He has worked as Professor in Government colleges at Thanjavur,
Kumbakonam, and Chennai for more than 40 years. He is a member of several national
and international bodies and a Chairman of Board of Examiners on Computer Sciences.
He has published two text books for Bachelor students and produced 3 Ph.D. and 35
M.Phil. graduates. Dr. Manivannan has 108 papers in peer-reviewed international and
national journals to his credit. He is currently heading the Centre for Research and
Development at PRIST University, since 2012.

Dr. M. Ramalingam
Additional Director CRD

Field of specialization: Quantum Chemistry/Computational Chemistry

Contact: (Tel)+919869422663;(email) ramalingam.crd@prist.ac.in; km_ramalingam@gmail.com
Dr. Ramalingam has received his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from Bharathidasan
University, India. He has worked as Professor in Government college at Thanjavur for 39
years. He has published 35 papers in peer-reviewed international and national journals
and produced 5 Ph.D. and 10 M.Phil. graduates. He is currently heading the M. Phil.
Directorate and involved in quantum chemistry and computational chemistry research
activities at Centre for Research and Development at PRIST University, since 2008.

Dr. S. Mohan Raj

Deputy Director-CRD

Field of specialization: Metabolic engineering

Contact: el: +91- 9489847425; email: deputydirector.crd@prist.ac.in; rajmohanhp@gmail.com
T

Dr. Mohan Raj has received his Ph.D. degree in Microbiology from University of Madras,
India. He has joined Centre for Research and Development at PRIST University in April,
2012. His research is focused on metabolic engineering of microorganisms for the
production of industrially important biochemicals and biofuels. Before joining PRIST
University, he has served as Scientific Officer, Scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, Visiting
Professor and Research Scientist at various leading industries and academic institutions
in India, Korea and U.S.A. Dr. Raj is a member of several academic bodies in India,
Korea and U.S.A. He has published 18 papers in peer-reviewed international journals
and has 6 international patents to his credit.

Dr. Anusha Bhaskar

Scientist

Field of specialization: Medicinal Biochemistry, Bioinformatics

Contact: Tel: +91- 7373740677; email: anushabhaskar.crd@prist.ac.in; dranushaparthiban@gmail.com
Dr. Anusha Bhaskar has received her Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from University of
Madras, India in 1999. She worked as Research Trainee, Lecturer, Head, and VicePrincipal at institutions in India and U.K. Dr. Anusha Bhaskar has joined Centre for
Research and Development at PRIST University in July, 2011 and she is currently
involved in research activities. She has 42 papers in peer-reviewed international and
national journals and 2 books to her credit. She has developed 3 databases for Asthma
and deposited 30 nucleotide sequences.

Dr. K. Shanthi
Scientist

Field of specialization: Simulation Studies, Computational Biology and Data Mining

Contact: Tel: +91-9994512925; email: shanthiprist@gmail.com
Dr. K. Shanthi has received her Ph.D. degree in the Interdisciplinary area of Computer
Science and Bioinformatics from Bharathidasan University, India. She has around 7
years experience in research and teaching in Computer Science and Engineering at
various levels. She has produced 47 M.Phil. graduates and published 5 papers in peerreviewed international and national journals. Currently, she is involved in computational
biology and drug designing research.

Dr. M. Srinivasan
Scientist

Field of specialization: Clinical Biochemistry, Nano Science and medicinal Chemistry

Contact: Tel: +91- 9790126537; email: srinivasan.crd@prist.ac.in; sriniclic@gmail.com
Dr. M. Srinivasan has received his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from Gandhigram Rural
Institute, Gandhigram, India. He worked as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at various
academic institutions in India. Dr. Srinivasan has joined Centre for Research and
Development at PRIST University in 2011 and he is currently involved in research and
teaching activities. Dr. M. Srinivasan has 5 papers in peer-reviewed international journals
to his credit.

Dr. Elango Mathavan

Scientist

Field of specialization: Plant tissue culture and plant genetics

Contact: Tel: +91 9884289207;email: elangomathavan.crd@prist.ac.in; elangomathavan@yahoo.co.in
Dr. Elango Mathavan has received his Ph.D. degree in Botany from Manonmaniam
Sundaranar University, India. He worked as Postdoctoral Scientist and Research
Associate at leading academic institutions in India and Israel. Dr. Mathavan has joined
Centre for Research and Development at PRIST University in 2008 and he is currently
involved in plant tissue culture research and teaching activities. Dr. Mathavan has 33
papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals to his credit.

Dr. S. Patharajan
Scientist

Field of specialization:Mycotoxins, plant tissue culture, natural products research, genomics and proteomics
Contact: Tel: +91- 9626053680; email: patharajan.crd@prist.ac.in; spatharajan@yahoo.co.in

Dr. S. Patharajan has received his Ph.D. degree in Botany from University of Madras,
India. He worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Academia Sinica, Taiwan and University of
Torino, Italy. Dr. Patharajan has joined Centre for Research and Development at PRIST
University in Jan, 2010 and he is currently involved in research and teaching activities.
Dr. Patharajan has 25 papers in peer-reviewed international journals and 2 book chapters
to his credit.

Dr. A. Sheeba Christina

Scientist

Field of specialization: Cancer biology and molecular diagnosis

Contact: Tel: +91-9486544755; email: sheebachristiana.crd@prist.ac.in; sheb_chris@ yahoo.com
Dr. Sheeba Christina has received her Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology from PRIST
University, India. She has joined Centre for Research and Development at PRIST
University in Feb, 2011 and involved in screening of biomarkers for early diagnosis and
prognosis in breast cancer and other human diseases. Before joining PRIST University
she has worked as Lecturer and Assistant Professor at PRIST University. Dr. Christina
has 5 papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals to her credit.

Research Activities
A total of 426 research scholars have registered for their Ph.D work in Centre for Research
and Development at PRIST University under broad disciplines:
Crystal growth and material science
Structure determination of bioactive compounds
Characterization of bioactive compounds from plant and marine source
Ex situ conservation of endangered plants
Molecular marker development
Identification of novel drugs from marine source
Molecular modeling and drug designing
Renewable energy and environment
Farming systems management
Ecology of Tsunami affected areas
Solid waste and waste water management
Water resources and management
Sustainable development
Computational science
Materials research

Collaborative Research
Collaborating Institution

Type of Collaboration

Changwon National University, Korea (South)

Academic and research

South Dakota School of Mines and

Technology, SD, U.S.A.

Dual degree; staff and students exchange; and research

Pusan National University, Korea (South)

Academic and research

Anglia Ruskin University, London, U.K.

Dual degree program

Andrenaling eSystems Limited

Chennai, TN, India

Training in HR practices and HR software

CISCO

Training in various modules of CISCO

Queen Margaret University, UK

Students and staff exchange

University of Wales, UK

Students and staff exchange

London School of Business Management

Students and staff exchange

Welding Industries

Training in welding

Yugenkaisha Hayakawa Shouji

Tokyo, Japan

Japanese Language program for students and staff

Central Agricultural University (CARI)

Port Blair, India

Mutual development of research, teaching,

extension & quality assurance activities for staff &
students

Thanjavur Cancer Care Research Centre

TN, India

Research

Social Welfare Centre

Research, consultancy and extension activities

Major Contri
bu

tions

671Publications in the last five years

389 Publications in Scopus-indexed international
peer-reviewed journals

15 Publications in book chapters

03 In-house annual journals

03

International conferences conducted

06

National conferences/workshops conducted

04

Short-term training courses conducted

58

Ph.D. degree awarded

01

Young scientist award received

01

Fellow membership in international

science congress association

Conferences/Workshops Organized
S.
No
1

Title of the
Conference/Workshop/Seminar
International Conference on Photonics,
Nanotechnology and Computer
Applications
(ICOPNAC)

Date

Funding Agencies

25-28
February2009

International Conference on
Biotechnology, Food, BioengineeringEmerging Trends and Future Prospects
(ICBFBET)
National Seminar on Combating Ozone
Layer Depletion (COLD 2010)

25th 26th
February2010

1. MCIT, New Delhi

2.DAE, Mumbai
3. ICMR, New Delhi
4. CSIR, New Delhi
5. DRDO, New Delhi
6.LSBM,London, UK
1. ICMR, New Delhi
Rs.1,00,000/-

National Conference on Advanced

Materials and Processing
Technologies-2012 (AMPT-2012)

16th
September
2010
17th and 18th
February2012

National Level Workshop on

Cryptography and its Advances

27th and 28th

March 2012

National workshop on Advances in

Medicinal Plant Biology and
Toxicology -(AMPBT)
National Conference on Biodiversity
and Biotechnology
CSIR Sponsored Workshop on Process
Modeling Simulations

21st and
22nd June
2012
28-30
March 2012
21st Nov.
2012

Seventh Indo-US International

Workshop on Mathematical Chemistry

4th -6th Dec

2012.

7
8

Department

Convener
Dr. S. Mohan

CRD

CRD

Dr. G. Kuppusamy

DST, Rs.30,000/-

Environmental
Engineering

Dr. Ashutosh das

1.DRDO - New Delhi

Rs.30,000/2. CSIR - New Delhi
Rs.25,000/1. DRDO - New
Delhi
Rs.1,00,000
1.ICMR - New Delhi
Rs.25,000/-

CRD

Dr. R. Mariappan

Computer
Science

Dr. PLK.
Priyadarsini

CRD

Dr. S. Mohan Raj

NBA, Chennai
Rs.1,00,000/CSIR

Biotechnology

Dr. S. Ravikumar

Electronics and
Communication
Engineering
CRD

Dr. Sundaram

PRIST University

Dr. M. Ramalingam

Dr. V. Manivannan

Consultancy
The major objective of providing consultancy services to academia and
industry is to promote science and technology with social benefits. PRIST
University is also serving as a resource hub in connecting strategic partners
from academia and industries for business development.

Types of consultancy services provided at PRIST-CRD

?
Product and process development for industries
?
Farming system and management for agriculturists/farmers
?
Solid waste and waste water management to industries
?
Business support in aromatic and medicinal plants cultivation and marketing
?
Production of bulk and fine chemicals, biomaterials and energy related products
?
Analytical support for students, researchers, industrial and technical professionals
?
Training programs for students and research scholars on innovative projects
?
Pollution monitoring control
?
Socio-economic development
?
Rural development

Interdisciplinary Research

Incubation and
Entrepreneurship Development
There has been a significant interest among the entrepreneurs towards technology
innovation and setting-up small scale companies for business development. PRIST
University supports the entrepreneurs in identifying suitable opportunities depending upon
the interest, arranging appropriate resources required to pursue technology development,
identifying commercial viability of the technology, and protecting the technology through
facilitating patenting process. PRIST University has common research facilities at Centre
for Research and Development and the facilities are well suited to life sciences and
engineering to initiate and conduct technology improvement. This centralized research
facility would help the entrepreneurs reducing capital costs towards the journey of their
business development programs. Our skilled interdisciplinary research team supports
transforming knowledge about technologies, technical capabilities, identifying appropriate
techniques to promote technology innovation.

Extension Activities
S.No Activity
1

2
3
4

10

11

12

Awareness Programme On
Medicinal Plants wealth to
school students
Blood Group Analysis to
School Children
Blood Group Analysis to
School Children
Spreading awareness of
cancer to Academic and Non
academic staff
Cancer Awareness
Programme to School
Children
Youth Health Mela 2012 Cancer Awareness
Programme to College
students
Establishment of Ethnomedicinal Garden in
collaboration with Forestry
Department, Tamil Nadu.
Conducted One day workshop
on Medicinal plants
collaboration with Forest
Extension Division
Organized two days training
course on "Self Employment
Program for Rural Youth
(nursery)"
Testing groundwater samples
& provide technical support
for treatment to local
Pancayat
Established Campus Biogas
pilot-plant using canteenwaste
Creating an awareness about
Hypertension to public

Place

Year

Coordinators

PRP school Thanjavur

2009

Govt Higher Secondary

School, Vellur
Govt Higher Secondary
School, Vellur
PRIST University- East
Campus Thanjavur

2008

Dr. R. Elango Madhavan

&
Dr. R.S. David Paul Raj
Dr. A Sohna Chandra

2009

Dr. A Sohna Chandra

2012

Dr. R. Suja pandian &

Dr. J. Karthikeyan

PRPHS School Thanjavur

2012

Dr. R. Suja pandian &

Dr. J. Karthikeyan

A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam

College Poondi, Thanjavur

2012

Dr.R.Suja Pandian

PRIST University Thanjavur

20122013

Dr. Ashutosh Das

Thanjavur

2012

Dr. Ashutosh Das

Thanjavur

2012

Dr Ashutosh Das

Vallam, Thanjavur.

2013

Dr. Ashutosh Das

West Campus PRIST

University

2013

Dr. Ashutosh Das

Ammenpet, Thanjavur

2013

Dr. A. Sheeba Christina

Research Support and Consultancy

PRIST is a leading research oriented academic institution in South India. It
offers a range of professional services under the broad discipline of drug
discovery and development, energy and environment, materials and
manufacturing and biomimetic systems to organization and strategic partners

For more information

Please Visit : www.prist.ac.in
Campus
: Vallam,
Thanjavur -613 403,
TN, India
Phone
: 04362 - 265021
04362 - 265022
94425 02054
94425 02057
94425 02076