High-end Research Labs and Ongoing Innovative Initiatives
Department of Biotechnology, KL Deemed to be University

Established in the year 2002, Biotechnology Department at KL University works towards developing research-based innovative solutions and products for the future, blended with engineering technology. To improve human health, nutrition, and well-being, the research-oriented Biotechnology faculty and students are working passionately to develop value-added research products. The department’s high-end innovative labs work on various funded projects and are in the race to develop novel drugs and vaccines.

Understanding Polymorphism to develop drugs

Dr. Rajesh Yella, the Assistant professor leads the research to find out the distinct difference between global and local polymorphism. He has pursued his Ph.D. in Computational Biotechnology from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc, Bangalore) and has joined KL University in 2016 into teaching academics and performing research activities. His team includes 1 research scholar, Vanaja who aids him in downloading genomes, programming, and other backup tasks. The scientist maintains collaboration with the University of Wisconsin. The research is expected to be a game-changer in developing new vaccines and drugs.

At present Dr. Yella is actively working on a DST-SERB-sponsored early career research award project where his work is focused on understanding genomic regulatory code using statistical computations. He extracts the genomes, promoter sequence to find DNA structural form, which is further used for designing new software, novel vaccines, and drugs.

The funding of Rs. 5 Lakhs provided by the KL University to develop the prototype helped to take the project to a level where DST-SERB was awarded a fund of Rs. 23 lakh on this project for further enhancement.

A big research in Therapeutic Proteins and Peptides

Dr. Chanda Chandrasekhar, Assistant Professor at the Biotechnology department, KL University works on "Verification and Characterisation of Snake Venom- Metalloproteinases" funded by DST-SERB. His area of research interest includes understanding and learning Therapeutic Proteins and Peptides.

The professor takes immense pride in his work and is now working on the project, to ascertain its anticoagulant, thrombolytic and antiplatelet properties. The project aims to develop protein-based drug solutions for drugs that prevent blood from clotting, or they can digest blood clots which is essential in diseases like Thrombotic disorders.

As far as student collaboration is concerned, Murali, a research fellow student, works on the project to assist the scientist in the verification and characterization of Metalloproteinases.

The professor thanks to the Management of KL University for the support & sanction of Rs 5. Lakh during the initial phase of his career and also says that it has been instrumental in achieving the present project.

Precision Nutrition and Human Health

Dr. Burra V L S Prasad, Professor at KL University has started his journey at the university in 2019. He worked in various roles during his career at KL.“My passion towards research is driven by the objective to develop drugs and vaccines that help mankind”, he says.

At present, he is working on 3 project grants from ICMR worth 75 lakhs. rDNA analysis of the Tuberculosis genome is one of the projects. His deeper understanding of various structural Biology aspects of Tuberculosis virus protein and its interaction with human cell Polypeptide Protein provoked him to develop a similar analog that would eventually be used as epitope and multi-epitope base in vaccine candidates.

3 students are presently pursuing post-doctorates under his guidance. He feels there will be much more enthusiasm and support towards Biotechnology because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as people now understand more about the importance of Biotechnology that provides solutions to the pandemic, endemic-like situations in the future.

Healthy living- Precision Nutrition and Human Health-Diseases are few other projects to improve people’s lives.

The faculty at KL University Vijayawada-Biotechnology are eager to step up further to provide valuable services to mankind, and the University Management is happy to have such dedicated and futuristic staff!