About us

Biotechnology is considered as one of the major initiatives of the new millennium having a tremendous influence on environment, human life style, food and health care system in the years to come. Biotechnology in leather research comprises many significant areas viz. enzyme technology, fermentation technology, upscaling facility, waste management, alternate fuels, microbial control, animal tissue culture, collagen and bioproducts.

Activities in the area of Biotechnology in CLRI have taken a definite shape in 1990 after the formation of the Department of Biotechnology. After 2000 specifically, the focus is in the area of enzyme technology towards development of potent enzymes by cost effective methods for its application in leather and allied industries and since 2010, enhanced expression of the proteins in heterologous systems using modern proteomics and genomic tools. Our research at the interface of chemistry and biology is intended towards the generation of novel generic classes of proteins using synthetic chemistry, bio-computing and target-engineered metabolic circuits. Microbe isolation for enzymes with desired traits, enzyme characterization, molecular biology for enhanced expressions and bioprocess optimization up to 500 L scale submerged fermentation / 100 Kg solid state fermentation are our core strengths.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• Enzyme technology with special reference to production and application of proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes in leather and other industries.
• In vivo and in vitro studies on connective tissue metabolism with relevance to arthritis and cardiovascular diseases.
• Development of low molecular weight peptides and plant products for use as drugs in cardiovascular diseases and arthritis
• Human resource development in biotechnology at B.Tech., M.Sc. and Ph.D levels.