1. About the course:

The Department of Microbial Technology has created a world-class facility to train students who wish to learn cloning of genes, both native and synthetic, in microbes and to express them suitably for easy downstream processing. Students are provided with the opportunity to get trained both in dry-lab as well as in wet-lab work. Data mining and data processing facilities are provided with high-speed connectivity with the inter-net.

The faculty of the Department of Microbial Technology has collaborations with several American and European laboratories since 1980. We have so far trained 96 students from the year 1997. Among them, 14 are working in the United States for their Ph.D; 4 are in Germany; one is in France; 3 are in Taiwan; 2 are in Japan; 1 in Switzerland; 1 in Austria; 1 in Australia; 2 in Singapore and 26 are in Indian laboratories. All students who are abroad are enjoying good fellowship.

Following are some of the fields in which M.Sc., MGT students carry out project work.

1. Gene annotations:

Large-scale genome sequencing projects have given sequence information of several genomes. However, function of all genes has not been deciphered as yet. More than 80% of genes in many sequenced genomes are designated as ‘putative’ and their function has to be elucidated through wet lab experiments. First, such putative genes are amplified in vitro using flanking/nested primers and following symmetric/asymmetric PCR. The amplicons are cloned in appropriate vectors and expressed in selected microbes. The cloned gene products are purified and tested for a function.

2. Gene silencing:

While it is easy to isolate and characterize mutants in bacterial cells, it is laborious and expensive to construct gene knock out mutants in Eukaryotes. Therefore, silencing becomes essential to elucidate the role of gene(s). siRNA and shRNA are designed for this purpose, synthesized in vitro and used for transfecting cultured human cells to silence specific genes.

3. Nanobiologics:

Synthetic peptides and proteins have a wide range of application in nano-biotechnology. Nanobiologics are believed to have a huge market potential in the next ten years. Synthetic gene constructs are cloned and expressed in microbes for the bio-production of peptides/proteins. Bioactive peptides that could function as hormones, anti-microbials, vaccines, drug carriers and therapeutics are produced and tested.

First Semester

 Second Semester

Third and Fourth Semester
MGT 301 : Project Work
B. Duration of the course
The course is organized on a semester basis with a total of four semesters. The project work would commence from the third semester.
2. Course requirements
A. Eligibility for Admission
A first class in Bachelar degree in Science Courses where Biological Sciences (Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Microbial Technology, Biotechnology, Genetics etc.) is either a Major or an Ancillary subject. Students from professional courses such as M.B.B.S., B.V.Sc., B.D.S., B.Pharm., B.Sc., Agriculture and related subjects from a recognized Indian or Foreign University are also eligible. For SC/ST candidates, a pass is the required minimum. .
B. Processing of Application and Mode of Selection
Applicants are expected to take an entrance test and selected candidates have to appear for a seminar presentation. Selection of 50% candidates will be based purely on merit and the other 50% would be based on merit giving weightage to State Government Policy.
C. How to apply
1. Procedure for obtaining prospectus and application form:
Prospectus and application can be downloaded from the following websites http://www.mgtmku.org or http://www.mkuniversity.org http://www.mkugenomics.org / http://www.genomicsmku.org
NOTE:
Candidates experiencing problems in downloading the application form can request for hard copy of the Prospectus and Application form (by post) from The Head, Department of Microbial Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021 on payment of Rs. 650/- in the form of a Demand Draft drawn in favour of THE REGISTRAR, MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY payable at MADURAI towards the application and registration fee.
Xerox copy of the downloaded application may also be used.
For SC/ST candidates application and registration fee will be waived for only one course.
SC/ST Candidates may also request for hard copy of the Prospectus and Application form (by post) from The Head, Department of Microbial Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021 on payment of Rs. 50/- in the form of a Demand Draft drawn in favour of THE REGISTRAR, MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY payable at MADURAI. The attested Xerox copy of the community certificate has to be produced along with the requisition letter
The Demand Draft should have been obtained after the date of notification and before the last date for receipt of filled-in application.
Note: Chalans, cheques, postal orders, money orders and cash will not be accepted.
The filled-in application may be returned to The Head, Department of Microbial Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai-625 021 on or before 23/02/2005.
2. Procedure for Submitting filled-in application form
Applicants are requested to read carefully the rules of eligibility and other instructions given in the prospectus. Applicants who are willing to apply for more than one course should use separate application form for each course.
A. Instructions for Filling-up the Application
1. The entries in the application form should be made by the applicant in their own handwriting in ENGLISH legibly.
2. Details of the xerox copies of the certificates submitted along with the application should be furnished in the relevant column of the application.
3. Entrance Test: The entrance test will be conducted in 1] Madurai, 2] Chennai, 3] Bangalore, 4] Kolkata, 5] Hyderabad, 6] Mumbai, 7] New Delhi, and 8] Thiruvananthapuram. The University reserves the right to cancel any center without any prior intimation. The candidates opted the cancelled centers will be allotted other centers according to their preference mentioned in the application form. The Hall-ticket and timetable will be sent to the eligible candidates individually by post.
4. Hall Ticket: [1] The candidates are requested to fill-up the hall ticket attached to the application and send it along with the application to the Course Coordinator. [2] Hall ticket and timetable for the entrance test will be sent to the candidates by post.
B. Enclosures to be sent along with the filled in application form:-
The eligible candidates have to submit only xerox copies of the following certificates duly attested by a Gazetted officer along with the application form.
ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES NEED NOT BE SENT.
Mark statement / grade certificate and Provisional certificate of the undergraduate degree course.
2. Community certificate, obtained either from the Thasildar or Deputy Thasildar concerned. Otherwise it will not be taken into account.
3. +2 marks statement for age proof.
4. Two self addressed stamped envelopes for Rs.10/- each. This should be sent along with the application
5. Recent photographs of the applicant in the passport size affixed on the column provided, one in the application and another in the hall-ticket.
The signature of the applicant must be affixed along the margin at the top
and that of the certifying officer with seal at the bottom].
6. Demand Draft for Rs.600/-
3. Submission of Filled-in Application
A. Duly filled down loaded application should be sent to:
The Head, Department of Microbial Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021 along with a Demand Draft for Rs. 600/- (towards the application and registration fee) drawn in favour of “The Registrar, Madurai Kamaraj University”, Payable at Madurai by affixing the required postage. Applications without draft will be rejected. Covers sent with less postage will not be accepted.
Note.: Persons who have purchased a hard copy of application from the Head, Department of Microbial Technology, by paying Rs. 650/- in the form of DD drawn in favour of “The Registrar, Madurai Kamaraj University” need not have to pay again the application and registration fee.
4. Selection Procedure
a. The selection is based on the merit on a 100 points scale with 50% marks for Entrance Test and 50% marks for Interview. The Entrance Test will have components of Microbial Technology, Molecular Biology and Microbiology at Bachelor degree level. The shortlisted candidates will be called for interview at Madurai.
b. Selection of 50% of candidates would be based purely on merit and the other 50% would be based on merit following the State Government Reservation Policy.
c. Candidates from foreign countries and other States of India, should compete in the open category for selection. Foreign candidates, should produce the valid VISA for the whole period of the course of study at the time of admission failing which their admission will stand automatically cancelled.
d. Selected Candidates will be intimated individually by post. A list of Register Number of the candidates selected for the course will be published in the leading dailies and also displayed on the Notice Board in the University Department and in our website http//www.mgtmku.org
e. Candidates selected will have to submit the following original certificates along with Xerox copies of the certificates only to the Head of the Department.
i Statement of Marks / Grade certificate and Provisional certificate.
ii Conduct certificate from the Head of the Institution last studied.
iii Transfer certificate.
iv Community certificate.
v NRI /Foreign students category : Certificate to be produced.
vi Such other certificates, as may be required by the University.
vii In the case of candidates who have passed the qualifying examinations from other Universities , they should produce the Eligibility certificate obtained from the Madurai Kamaraj University at the time of admission.
viii All admissions made will be provisional till the certificate, statement of marks / grades etc., submitted by the candidates are scrutinized and accepted. If any candidate is found to have got admission on false claims, the admission will be cancelled without any prior notice.
*For further details the Head of the Department may be contacted.
FEES DETAILS ( NON – REFUNDABLE)
On receipt of intimation of provisional selection, candidates should pay the prescribed fees immediately. Selected candidates who do not pay their fees within the time specified in the admission intimation will forfeit the seats offered.
A. Regular Students
Fees Details: Per Year Per Semester
Tuition Fees : Rs.15,000/- Rs. 7,750/-
Laboratory fee : Rs. 60,000/- Rs.30,000/-
In addition to the tuition fee and lab fee, the following special fees are prescribed.

The fee may be paid in the form of Demand Draft or Banker’s Cheque in any bank drawn in favour of The Registrar, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai payable at MADURAI.

d) Last Date for Remittance of Fees
A. First Year

The candidates should remit all the fees within the date as mentioned in the admission intimation.
Second Year

The candidate should remit all the fees for the second year of the course within 10 days from the date of commencement of the course.

Any fees or excess fees, once paid, will not be refunded or adjusted or transferred under any circumstances.

NRI / Foreign candidates:

A limited number of seats are available under NRI category

Students who wish to apply under NRI category may download the prospectus and application form. Duly filled-in application may be forwarded to the Course Coordinator by paying US$ 200/- draft drawn in favour of THE REGISTRAR, MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY payable at MADURAI towards the application and registration fee.

NRI students may also request the Course Coordinator for the hard copy by paying US$ 200 towards the application and registration fee.

Selection of NRI candidates will be based on the marks secured from qualifying examination.

The following certificates are to be produced by the candidates under the NRI quota.

1.Valid passport of the sponsor with foreign visa (should be related)
2.NRI Status certificate in the country of stay of the sponsor
3.NRI Statement of Bank account / Bank pass book of the Sponsor

Fee Details for NRI category: US$ 12,000 (FOR 2 YEARS)

US$ 6,500 (FOR 1 YEAR)

3. GENERAL

a. No candidate can undergo more than one course at a time during the academic year and no one can take more than one examination at the same time

b. All communications should be addressed to the Course Coordinator, M.Sc Microbial Gene Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625021.

c. The application form without Xerox copies of certificates will not be considered

d. Certificates other than those required need not be enclosed

e. Eligibility certificate should be produced if the candidate is graduated from University other than Madurai Kamaraj University

f. The university reserves the right to suspend any course if sufficient number of applications are not available

g. The university will not be held responsible for any delay or loss in postal transit

h. The decision of the university shall be final in all cases of admission

i. All the columns in the application should be filled-in. Incomplete application will be rejected.

4. HOSTELS:

Separate hostel facilities are available for men and women candidates in the university campus at Palkalai Nagar, Madurai – 625 021

Those who need accommodation in the University hostels, may approach the warden of respective hostels after securing admission.

Application forms for hostel accommodation will be available in the respective hostel office during the office hours i.e. 11.00 AM to 4.30 PM

For more details please visit our website http//www.mgtmku.org or http//www.mkugenomics.org

The Registrar

Madurai Kamaraj University
Palkalai Nagar
Madurai 625 021
Phone : +91-452-2458471 (5 Lines)