Pranab Roy
Proffessor
Haldia Inst of Technology
India
Biography
Prof. Roy had post- doctoral research experience at Yale University School of Medicine and University of Connecticut Health Centre, USA working on advanced molecular biology. He joined as lecturer in Bose Institute where he characterized a novel repetitive DNA sequence by molecular cloning and sequencing when these techniques were just being introduced in India in mid 80’s. He joined industrial R&D to set up the genetic engineering unit at Hindustan Lever Research Centre, Mumbai. The functioning of the unit is reflected in the number of publications arising out of the work carried out there and the sister concern, Unilever Research Labs. Prof. Roy also did pioneering work with Tea Quality during his tenure at Tea Research Association, Jorhat. This led to the patent on optimization of fermentation time for Black Tea Production. During his tenure at Burdwan University since the inception of Biotechnology department, Prof. Roy was instrumental in establishing the Department and Obtaining DBT-support for the M. Sc. (Biotech) programme through infrastructure and recurring grants since 2006. He was part of the eight member scientific team visiting arctic region, sponsored by National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa and spent one month (August,2009) at Ny Alesund Research Station, where different countries have their bases. He collected different microflora from glaciers and soil there from which useful industrial enzymes are being isolated and studied. DST (SERC) awarded a project grant on this for the period 2011-2014.
Research Interest
Prof Roy interested research with Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria from root nodules from Fenugreek (Methi), a leguminous plant. Several novel bacteria were isolated, characterized and identified by molecular phylogeny. The abiotic stress tolerance of these bacteria were improved by UV mutagenesis and screening at higher temperature and salt concentration.