About the Department

The Department of Biochemistry at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Gorakhpur was established in June 2019, with the basic infrastructure necessary for undergraduate teaching. Since its inception, the department has significantly expanded in terms of infrastructure and faculty, and has been actively engaged in teaching, diagnostics, and research activities. The first batch of MBBS students, who joined in September 2019, have successfully completed their MBBS course.

Biochemistry plays a vital role in both health and disease, as it encompasses the study of all metabolic reactions occurring in the body and the associated disorders—forming the molecular basis of every branch of biomedicine. The department is actively involved in the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students and supports the clinical departments of the institute by providing essential diagnostic services.

The department is also engaged in extensive research, with several departmental and inter-departmental projects currently in progress. These include both extramural and intramural research projects.

Over the past year, the department has made significant academic contributions, including the publication of ten original research articles, one case report, thirteen review articles, and four book chapters in collaboration with various departments and institutes.

Currently Available Services

Diagnostic Services

The Department is currently running the Biochemistry section of the Clinical Diagnostics Lab, performing routine Biochemistry tests. Instruments for hormone assays, tumor markers, vitamin assays, and dry chemistry tests have been procured and these tests shall soon be included in the diagnostic panel. We aim to provide a comprehensive range of tests with minimal waste generation and high throughput. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been developed to increase efficiency and minimize turnaround times.

Medical Education and Training

• MBBS Program: Teaching integrates didactic lectures, interactive tutorials, case-based and problem-based learning, early clinical exposure, and laboratory sessions. Emphasis is placed on:
  • Conceptual clarity of metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms
  • Clinical correlation through case discussions and interdisciplinary integration
  • Hands-on training in qualitative and quantitative biochemical analysis
  • Humanities teaching to instill ethical values
  • Research orientation to promote analytical thinking and innovation
• MSc Program: Students receive theoretical knowledge of Biochemistry, statistics, teaching methodologies, and practical training. Research projects focused on patient care are assigned to enhance diagnostic and interpretive skills.
• MD Biochemistry: Initiated in 2024 with an annual intake of two students. The syllabus includes postings in other pre- and para-clinical departments. Postgraduates are trained in teaching, research, theoretical knowledge, and ethical practices.
• PhD Biochemistry: The PhD program is currently focused on newborn screening, with several other advanced research projects underway.
• BSc (Hons) Nursing: Started in April 2022 with an intake of sixty students. First-year students are trained in foundational Biochemistry, essential for understanding molecular aspects of health, disease, nutrition, and diagnostics.
• BSc MLT (Medical Laboratory Technology): To commence from the upcoming academic year with fifteen seats. This full-time undergraduate program provides training in:
  • Clinical laboratory diagnostics
  • Sample collection, biochemical and hematological testing
  • Microbiology, immunology, and molecular techniques
  • Laboratory instrumentation, quality control, and ethical practices

  Graduates will be equipped to work in:

  • Hospitals and diagnostic labs
  • Research and academic institutions
  • Blood banks and public health agencies
  • Quality control and medical equipment firms

Community Outreach Programs

The Department of Biochemistry has actively organized community-based programs focused on patient education and awareness. It has also conducted educational sessions for school students on non-communicable and lifestyle diseases. These initiatives have been documented and published as pilot studies in the field of public health.

Courses Offered

• MBBS
• MD (Biochemistry)
• MSc (Biochemistry)
• PhD (Biochemistry)
• BSc MLT (Medical Laboratory Technology)

FUTURE VISION

We aim to promote a culture of accountability, independent thought, compassion, integrity, honesty, and teamwork in the Department. We are committed to lifelong learning and have undertaken to follow the principles of ethics in education, research, and patientcare.
The Department aims to become one of the best centres of Biochemistry Education in the country, at both undergraduate as well as post-graduate levels of teaching. All faculty keep abreast of the current knowledge and are committed to making lectures more informative, effective, and interesting by incorporating new innovations. The MD course shall be started soon, and the faculty are developing syllabus and teaching schedules related to that also.
Biochemistry and laboratory diagnostics are closely associated with all departments, and we hope to integrate with the clinical departments in producing good quality research that will benefit science and will also aid early diagnosis of disease.

OTHER INFORMATION

COURSES

Currently the Institute has only the MBBS Course, but after the required period we intend to begin MD Biochemistry, MSc Medical Biochemistry, and PhD.
Any other courses that the Institute plans to begin like BSc Nursing will have our full support.