Pharmacognosy & Metabolic Engineering Course | IIT Kharagpur | Prof. Adinpunya Mitra
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 1476 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Bioprocesses |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Pharmacognosy & Metabolic Engineering: Unlocking Nature's Pharmacy with Biotechnology
In the quest for novel therapeutics, flavorings, and nutraceuticals, humanity has long turned to the plant kingdom. The field of Pharmacognosy—the study of medicinal drugs derived from plants and other natural sources—provides the foundation. Today, this ancient science is being revolutionized by modern biotechnology through Metabolic Engineering. A pioneering course at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, led by the esteemed Prof. Adinpunya Mitra, bridges these two worlds, offering postgraduate students a deep dive into manipulating nature's chemical factories for human benefit.
Meet the Instructor: Prof. Adinpunya Mitra
Prof. Adinpunya Mitra brings over two decades of expertise to this course. An alumnus of Burdwan University and IIT Kharagpur, he honed his skills with doctoral research at the BBSRC Institute of Food Research (University of East Anglia, UK) and post-doctoral work at the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany. A specialist in plant specialized metabolism, his current research focuses on the biology of volatile fragrance synthesis in commercially important flowers. With over 90 international publications, 21 major research grants, and mentorship of 18 PhD students, Prof. Mitra is a leading authority in plant biotechnology, making him the ideal guide for this advanced subject.
Course Overview: A 12-Week Journey into Plant Chemistry
This intensive 12-week postgraduate course is designed for students in Biotechnology, Agriculture, Botany, and Biochemistry. It requires only basic biology and chemistry knowledge at the 10+2 level, with foundational concepts built into each module.
ABOUT THE COURSE: The course begins with the fundamentals of medicinal plants and the evolution of specialized metabolism—the process by which plants produce unique chemicals like alkaloids, phenolics, and terpenoids. It then delves into the core of metabolic engineering: the biotechnological strategies used to alter plant biosynthetic pathways to enhance the yield of desired, pharmaceutically important compounds. From cloning key genes to reprogramming entire metabolic networks, students learn to view plants as programmable biochemical systems.
Detailed Course Layout: What You Will Learn
The curriculum is meticulously structured to provide a comprehensive understanding, from theory to cutting-edge applications.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Introduction to medicinal plants, evolution of specialized metabolism, elicitation in cell cultures, and strategies for genetic transformation & metabolic engineering. |
| Week 3-6 | Alkaloid Engineering: In-depth study of tropane, morphine, purine, and indole alkaloid pathways. Metabolic reprogramming and discovery of new pathways (e.g., strychnine). |
| Week 6-8 | Terpenoid Manipulation: Terpenoid metabolism, genetic manipulation of carotenoids, biology of floral volatiles, and production of complex molecules like hyperforin and taxol. |
| Week 9-12 | Phenolic Compound Engineering: Phenylpropanoid/benzenoid metabolism, lignin manipulation, anthocyanin creation (e.g., blue rose), tea polyphenols, and production of vanillin, shikonin, and pharmaceuticals via molecular pharming. |
Key Learning Outcomes & Industry Relevance
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the major classes of plant specialized metabolites and their biosynthetic pathways.
- Design strategies for genetically engineering plants to overproduce valuable compounds.
- Appreciate the cell and molecular biology behind fragrance emission and pigment formation.
- Apply concepts to real-world problems in drug discovery and agro-industry.
The course holds significant industry support from leading herbal and natural product companies like Dabur, Himalaya, and Patanjali, highlighting its direct relevance to the nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical sectors.
Essential Reading Materials
To complement the lectures, the course references seminal texts in the field:
- Trease & Evans’ Pharmacognosy – The classic text on medicinal plants.
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants by Buchanan et al. – A comprehensive plant biochemistry resource.
- Chemicals from Plants by Walton & Brown – Perspectives on plant-derived compounds.
- Plant Biochemistry by Bosher & Tobin – Foundational biochemical principles.
In conclusion, the Pharmacognosy & Metabolic Engineering course at IIT Kharagpur is a unique educational offering that equips the next generation of scientists with the tools to harness and optimize the incredible chemical diversity of plants. Under the guidance of Prof. Adinpunya Mitra, students are prepared to lead innovations at the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern biotechnology, paving the way for greener drug discovery and sustainable production of high-value natural products.
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