Assam Veterinary and Fishery University Official Website
(Khanapara, Guwahati - 781022)

HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

Dr. Dhruba Jyoti Kalita

  • Phone: 9435747942
  • Email: dhrubaj.kalita@avfu.ac.in

OTHER FACULTY MEMBERS

Research Projects

Ongoing Projects

Title of the project Duration Name of PI
Development of a nano Zinc fortified herbal mix for increased productivity. 2022-ongoing Dr J Dutta
Development of novel multiplex-based point of care (M_POC) diagnostic for Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Scrub typhus and Coxiellosis (Q fever) and to unravel zoonotic diseases dynamics at human and animal interface in Assam, North East India. 2025-ongoing Dr A Shome

Completed Projects

Title of the project Duration Name of PI
Value chain on Novelty Pork Products under Organized Pig farming System. 2007-2014 Dr Dhruba Jyoti Kalita(Co PI)
Ultra rapid Vitrification and subsequent In Vitro Maturation and Fertilization of Bovine oocytes and Polyadenylation of oocyte mRNA. 2010-2013 Dr Dhruba Jyoti Kalita(Co PI)
Comparative evaluation of whole outer membrane protein of Pasteurella multocida adjuvanted with calcium phosphate nanoparticles and polylactide-co-glycolide (PLG) microparticles as a vaccine candidate against swine pasteurellosis. 2012-2015 Dr Shantanu Tamuly
Designing , Synthesis and Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides. 2013-2017 Dr D J Kalita
Baseline data of blood profile of Doom pigs. 2013-2015 Dr R Nath
Role of plants as a modifier of rumen to reduce methane production and improve productivity in small animals. 2014-2017 Dr R Nath
DBT funded project "Development of Nanoparticle or Microparticle Adjuvanted Subunit Oral Vaccine against Poultry Salmonellosis." 2016-2019 Dr. Shantanu Tamuly
AAU R&D Project "Development of cost-effective oral vaccine against necrotic enteritis." 2023-2025 Dr. Shantanu Tamuly
Molecular Fingerprints of Mitochondrial DNA for indigenous Livestock Species of Assam. 2012-2014 Dr D J Kalita
An Integrated Approach to Explore and Exploit the Innate and Adaptive Immune Response in Indigenous Duck Breeds of North Eastern and South India. 2018-2022 Dr D J Kalita(PI cum Project Coordinator)
Enhancing Nutrition and livelihood through value-added local products and community intervention approach: A study of Jorhat and Kamrup districts of Assam. 2024-2025 Dr A Shome(Co PI)

Salient achievements

1. Awards and Fellowships

Sl No. Name of the Faculty Award/Fellowship Duration of the Programme Trained in the Country
1 Dr Dhruba Jyoti Kalita DBT-CREST Award (National) for Post-Doctoral Training (2011-12) 6 Months Institute for Animal Health, UK
2 Dr Shantanu Tamuly DBT Overseas Fellowship (NER) 6 Months Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organisation International Vaccine Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
3 Dr Dhruba Jyoti Kalita ICAR NAHEP Fellowship (National) (2018-19) 1 Month College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, USA
4 Dr Arijit Shome DST Sponsored Raman Charpak Exchange Fellowship (National) 3 Months Laboratory of Bacterial Chemistry, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, France

Dr. Dhruba Jyoti Kalita, Professor and Head, was selected as a member of the Research Advisory Committee to monitor research activities of the Medical Research Unit, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, as per guidelines for establishing Multidisciplinary Research Units (MRUs) in Government Medical Colleges/Research Institutions for a period of 5 years during the 15th Finance Commission Period (2021-2026).

2. Technologies Developed (Field Validation Awaited)

  • Development of cost-effective Area Specific Mineral Mixture and commercialization (AAUVETMIN).
  • Development of a cost-effective oral vaccine against necrotic enteritis in poultry.
  • Mucosal vaccine against Reimerella anatipestifer in ducks.

Technologies (ii) and (iii) have been successfully developed and validated at laboratory scale and are awaiting field validation for large-scale trials.

3. Technologies in Pipeline (Under Development)

  • Antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-based therapeutic and prophylactic strategies.
  • Design, synthesis and characterization of antimicrobial peptides.
  • Molecular marker for diagnosis of canine mammary tumour and therapeutic application of cationic peptides.
  • Multiplex-based Point-of-Care diagnostic platform for Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Scrub Typhus and Q Fever.
  • Nano zinc fortified herbal mix for enhanced livestock productivity.
  • Use of bone marrow derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSC) for wound treatment.
  • Development of nanoparticle and microparticle adjuvanted subunit oral vaccine against poultry salmonellosis.
  • Plant-based rumen modifiers to reduce methane production.
  • Use of locally available plant leaves for regulation of cytokine profiles for successful pregnancy and lactation.

4. Vaccine and Advanced Biotherapeutic Innovations

  • Research on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as novel bioactive molecules for disease control and immune modulation.
  • Nanoparticle and microparticle adjuvant conjugate subunit oral vaccine against poultry salmonellosis.
  • Nanoparticle-based vaccine candidates against swine pasteurellosis.

5. Generation of Scientific Knowledge and Baseline Data

  • Development of molecular signatures of indigenous animals including Yak and Mithun.
  • Exploration of innate and adaptive immune responses in indigenous duck breeds.
  • Baseline hematological and biochemical profiling of Doom pigs.
  • Plant-based rumen modifiers to reduce methane emission and improve productivity.
  • Research on zoonotic disease dynamics at the human-animal interface in Assam.

6. Community-Based Translational and Extension Research

  • Nutrition and livelihood enhancement project through value-added local products.
  • Lectures delivered in farmer training programmes on scientific livestock rearing.
  • Participation in vaccination and treatment camps by department faculty.

Others

Two faculties of the department have been serving as core faculty in the DBT-sponsored PG programme in Animal Biotechnology since its inception in 2010-11. They contributed to syllabus preparation, course curriculum development, teaching of MVSc and PhD classes, and conducting entrance examinations in addition to their regular academic and research responsibilities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, protective hand sanitizers were prepared by the department faculty following WHO recommendations and distributed to cleaners, staff, and faculty members of the College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

*All the contents were provided by Dr. Dhruba Jyoti Kalita ,Professor & HoD Department of Biochemistry,CVSc,Khanapara.