DNB Biochemistry: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Fee, Eligibility Criteria Details

DNB Biochemistry or Diplomate of National Board in Biochemistry also known as DNB in Biochemistry is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS. The duration of this postgraduate course is 3 years, and it focuses on the study of various concepts related to the field of chemistry of life, and as such it draws on the techniques of analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as those of physiologists concerned with the molecular basis of vital processes.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various accredited institutes/hospitals across the country. Some of the top accredited institutes/hospitals offering this course include College of Medicine and JNM Hospital, Govt. Medical College - Jammu, Medanta The Medicity- Gurgaon, and many more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET PG Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing DNB (Biochemistry) in various accredited institutes/hospitals is Rs. 1,25,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue a super-specialization course where DNB Biochemistry is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Junior Consultants, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 10 Lakh to Rs. 35 Lakh per annum.

DNB is equivalent to MD/MS/DM/MCh degrees awarded respectively in medical and surgical super specialties. The list of recognized qualifications awarded by the Board in various broad and super specialties as approved by the Government of India are included in the first schedule of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

The Diplomate of National Board in broad-specialty qualifications and super specialty qualifications when granted in a medical institution with the attached hospital or in a hospital with the strength of five hundred or more beds, by the National Board of Examinations, shall be equivalent in all respects to the corresponding postgraduate qualification and the super-specialty qualification granted under the Act, but in all other cases, senior residency in a medical college for an additional period of one year shall be required for such qualification to be equivalent for the purposes of teaching also.

What is DNB in Biochemistry?

Diplomate of National Board in Biochemistry, also known as DNB (Biochemistry) or DNB in Biochemistry is a three-year postgraduate programme that candidates can pursue after completing MBBS.

Biochemistry is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has released a curriculum for DNB in Biochemistry.

The curriculum governs the education and training of DNBs in Biochemistry. PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Biochemistry would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their specialty.

The candidate should be a highly competent specialist in Biochemistry possessing a broad range of skills that will enable her/him to practice Biochemistry independently. The PG candidate should also acquire the basic skills in the teaching of medical/para-medical students.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of DNB in Biochemistry:

Name of Course	DNB in Biochemistry
Level	Postgraduate
Duration of Course	Three years
Course Mode	Full Time
Minimum Academic Requirement	MBBS degree obtained from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC)
Admission Process / Entrance Process / Entrance Modalities	Entrance Exam (NEET PG)
Course Fees	Rs. 1,25,000 per year
Average Salary	Rs. 10 Lakh to Rs. 35 Lakh per annum

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for DNB in Biochemistry are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which includes:

• Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) now NMC.

• Candidates should have done a compulsory rotating internship of one year in a teaching institution or other institution which is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) now NMC.

• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration with any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.

• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the MBBS Degree courses and compulsory rotatory Internship shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

• Candidates who have passed the final examination, leading to the award of a Post Graduate Degree (MD/MS) from an Indian University, which is duly recognized as per provisions of the as National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019 and the first schedule of the IMC Act can apply for the DNB Final examination in the same broad specialty.

Admission Process

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order for the candidates for admission to DNB in Biochemistry. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DNB in Biochemistry mentioned below:

• The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post Graduates is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma Courses.
• The requirement of eligibility criteria for participation in counseling towards PG seat allotment conducted by the concerned counseling authority shall be in lieu of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.

S.No.	Category	Eligibility Criteria
1.	General	50th Percentile
2.	SC/ST/OBC (Including PWD of SC/ST/OBC)	40th Percentile
3.	UR PWD	45th Percentile

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DNB in Biochemistry varies from accredited institute/hospital to hospital. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DNB in Biochemistry is Rs. 1,25,000 per year.

Colleges offering DNB in Biochemistry

There are various accredited institutes/hospitals across India that offer courses for pursuing DNB (Biochemistry).

As per the National Board of Examinations website, the following accredited institutes/hospitals are offering DNB (Biochemistry) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

A DNB in Biochemistry is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Biochemistry.

The course content for DNB in Biochemistry is given in the NBE Curriculum released by the National Board of Examinations, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

1. Cell Biology-

Structure of the cell and different sub-cellular organelles, Structure of cell membrane Movement of substances across cell membranes, Interaction between cells and environment, Glycoprotein and proteoglycans, Extracellular matrix, Integrins, Cell-cell interaction-selectins, Cadherins, Tight junctions, Gap junctions, Intracellular traffic and sorting of proteins-endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, Vesicle transport, Endocytic pathway, Protein targeting to cell surface, Nucleus, Lysosomes, Mitochondria, peroxisomes, Cytoskeleton and cell motility, Cell cycle, Muscle contraction, Hemoglobin, and Myoglobin,

2. Biostatistics/Research Methodology-

Types of study design, Calculation of adequate sample size, Students 't' test, paired 't' test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Nonparametric tests of significance, one way and two-way analysis of variance, Multivariate analysis, Survival analysis-

logrank test, Relative risk Calculation-Odd's ratio, commonly used statistical software's, ROC, Multiple regression, coefficient of correlation and linear regression, Bioinformatics.

3. Biochemical Techniques-

Centrifugation- ultracentrifugation, Optical techniques- spectrophotometry, reflectance photometry, flame photometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, fluorimeter, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, turbidimetery and nephelometry, Electrochemistry- chemical sensors and biosensors, Electrophoresis, Chromatography, Immunochemical techniquesimmunoassays, Spectroscopic techniques-circular dichroism, electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, Mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, Nanotechnology and microfabrication, Techniques to study in vivo metabolism-NMR, SPECT, PET scans, Radioisotope techniques like PCR, DNA Extraction technique and RFLP, etc.

4. Enzymes

General properties, classification and nomenclature, kinetic model, Km value, factors influencing enzymes action, specificity, mechanism of enzymes action, enzymes kinetics, regulation of enzyme action, isolation, isoenzymes, diagnostic and therapeutic uses of enzymes

5. Vitamins:

Structure, sources, daily requirements, physiological role and deficiency manifestation of vitamins, hypo and hyper vitamins and vitamins Mechanism of action of coenzymes.

6. Metabolism-

Chemistry and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and amino acids in human system with clinical implications ii. Inborn errors of metabolism: Inborn errors of carbohydrates, lipids amino acids, protein nuclein acids, mineral metabolism.

7. Human Nutrition:

i. Principal food components, general nutritional requirements, energy requirements, biological value of proteins, specific dynamic action, balanced diet, diet formulation in health and disease, mixed diet, nutritional supplements, food toxins and additives, parental nutrition, disorders of nutrition, obesity, protein and protein energy, malnutrition dietary fibers, under-nutrition, laboratory diagnosis of nutrition disorders, national nutritional program ii. Mineral metabolism and role of micro and macronutrients

8. Molecular Biology

i. Chemistry and Metabolism of nucleotides/nucleic acids, replication, transcription and translation, regulation of gene expression, protein targeting, recombinant DNA and other molecular biology techniques, Human genome project, functional genomics, proteomics,

ii. Principles of human genetics- Transmission of genetic disease-mutations and their functional consequences, alleles, genotypes, haplotypes, phenotypes, genetic linkage, identification of disease-causing gene, chromosomal disorders, monogenic Mandelian disorders, mitochondrial disorders, nucleotide repeat expansion disorders, polygenic disease and complex genetic traits, imprinting disorders, methods of mutation detection, gene therapy, gene library and uses of recombinant DNA technology, restriction enzymes, mechanism of antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs, differences between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic gene expression.

iii. Stem cells in clinical medicine.

9. Immunology

Overview-innate and acquired immunity, cells, and organs of the immune systemT and B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, granulocytes, antigens, epitopes and haptens, immunoglobulins classes, isotypes, allotypes, idiotypes, monoclonal antibodies, organization and expression of immunoglobulin genes, immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, class switching, antigen-antibody interaction- 5 immunochemical techniques, MHC, antigen processing and presentation, T cell and B cell receptor, toll like receptors, cell maturation/activation/differentiation, B cell generation /activation/ differentiation, cytokines, complement system, cell-mediated immunity, T regulatory cells, Hypersensitivity, immune response to infections, vaccines and newer approaches, immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, transplantation immunology, cancer, and immune system, immunodiagnostics, and immunotherapy.

10. Hematopoietic disorders-

Iron deficiency and other hyperproliferative anaemias-iron metabolism, laboratory tests of iron status, iron therapy, anemia of chronic disease, anaemia of renal disease

Hemoglobinopathies- sickle cell anaemia, methaemoglobinemias, thalassemia syndromes, Megaloblastic anaemias, RBC membrane and metabolism, Hemolytic anaemias-inherited defects in RBC membrane and enzymes-G6PD deficiency, immunologic causes of hemolysis, ABO blood group system-biochemical basis, transfusion biology, Plasma cell disorders-multiple myeloma, MGUS.

11. Hemostasis and thrombosis-

Biochemical mechanisms of coagulation, related laboratory tests, antiplatelet /anticoagulant/ fibrinolytic therapy.

12. Cardiovascular system-

Cardiac biomarker's diagnostic and prognostic implications and risk stratification Atherosclerosis- pathogenesis, risk factors, its prevention and treatment Heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, cardiac biomarkers, cardiomyopathies. Hypertension-essential and secondary, genetics, laboratory evaluation, approach to therapy.

13. Respiratory system-

Gaseous exchange in lungs-physiological features and disturbances, arterial blood gases. Pathogenesis of asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, α1AT deficiency, etc.

14. Kidney-

Kidney function tests, Pathophysiology, biochemistry, laboratory findings and management in acute renal failure, chronic renal disease and failure/uremia, Estimation of GFR, Glomerular diseases-pathogenesis and mechanisms of glomerular injury, Nephrotic syndrome, Diabetic nephropathy, Tubular disorders, Renal tubular acidosis, Proteinuria, Nephrolithasis, Kidney transplant, etc.

15. Gastrointestinal system-

Alimentary tract-gastric physiology, pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease, role of H.pylori, gastric function tests, Zollinger Ellison syndrome, nutrient digestion, and absorption, evaluation of malabsorption, celiac sprue, inflammatory bowel disease, steatorrhea, lactose intolerance, protein-losing enteropathy, investigation of maldigestion/ malabsorption, GIT regulatory peptides, Neuroendocrine tumors. Liver- liver function tests, hyperbilirubinemias, viral hepatitis, serologic /virologic markers, alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and its complications, pathogenesis of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, metabolic diseases affecting liver, Reye's syndrome, diseases of gall bladder/bile ducts- pathogenesis of gallstones. Pancreas-acute and chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic function tests

16. Disorders of Immune system, connective tissue and joints-

Immune tolerance, mechanisms of immune-mediated damage to host tissues, primary immune deficiency diseases-laboratory evaluation and management of autoimmune diseases, hypersentivities and immune deficiency disorder like SLE, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, Asthma, gout

17. Bone and mineral metabolism-

Bone structure and metabolism, calcium, phosphate and magnesium metabolism, regulation and abnormalities, vitamin D, calcitonin, PTH, osteoporosispathophysiology, markers of bone turnover.

18. Nervous system and Neurologic disorders-

Neurotransmitters and their receptors, ion channels and channelopathies, memory and learning-signaling pathways, neurotrophic factors, apoptosis, protein aggregation and neurodegeneration, genetic disorders of CNS, pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson 'disease, Huntington 'disease, Inherited ataxias, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other motor neuron diseases, Multiple sclerosis. Prions and Prion diseases, Guillain-Barre syndromeimmunopathogenesis, Myasthenia gravis-pathophysiology, Hereditary myopathies-Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Inherited disorders of muscle energy metabolism, mitochondrial myopathies. Biochemistry of olfaction taste, vision, and touch.

19. Psychiatric disorders-

Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia-pathophysiology. Neuropsychiatric drugs biochemical basis of mode of action, biochemical basis of drug addiction and abuse, CSF analysis.

20. Cancer-

Cancer genetics, clonal origin and multistep nature, oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, familial cancer syndromes, chromosomal instabilityin solid tumours, viruses in human cancer, epigenetic regulation in cancer, gene expression profiling in cancer, cancer cell biology, cell cycle abnormalities, telomerase, apoptosis, metastasismolecular basis and therapeutic strategies, tumour angiogenesis- molecular events and antiangiogenic therapy, biological basis of cancer chemotherapy, multidrug resistance, molecularly targeted cancer therapy, cancer immunotherapy.

21. Environmental Biochemistry-

Xenobiotic metabolism, pesticide organophosphorous poisoning, water, and air pollution.

22. Clinical Biochemistry-

Investigative aspects-principles of laboratory analysis and safety, specimen collection and processing, automation, point of care testing, evidence-based laboratory medicine, selection and analytical evaluation of methods, clinical evaluation of methods-sensitivity and specificity, ROC curves, establishment and use of reference values, preanalytical variables, clinical laboratory informatics, Total quality management, Biomedical waste disposal. Analytes-Amino acids/peptides/proteins, plasma proteins, enzymes, clinical enzymology, tumour markers, carbohydrates, lipids/ lipoproteins/ apolipoproteins, cardiovascular, risk factors, electrolytes, blood, gases, hormones, catecholamines/ serotonin, vitamins, and, trace elements, hemoglobin, iron and bilirubin, porphyrins and their disorders, Therapeutic drug monitoring. Pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid function, Reproductive related disorders-infertility, Pregnancy-maternal and fetal health, Inborn errors of metabolism, Clinical toxicology, Molecular diagnostics. Accreditation of labs NABL, ISO, etc.

23. Endocrinology-

Diabetes mellitus etiopathogenesis, diagnostic and prognostic marker's, short and long-term complications, risk factors, and principle management. Thyroid hormones, synthesis, and mechanism of action, hyper and hypo thyroidism Derangement of structure and functions of hypothalamus, pituitary, parathyroid glands, adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla, and gonads.

24. Miscellaneous-

Biological oxidation, bioenergetics, High energy phosphate compounds, Digestion and absorption of food and other nutrients, Detoxification/ xenobiotics, Cytochrome P450 system, Free radical's formation, scavenging oxygen free radicals, Antioxidants. Role in diseases. Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation, components of respiratory chain control, site-specific inhibitors, uncouplers, Muscular contraction, nerve conduction, coagulation of food Metabolism in specialized tissues like erythrocytes, lens nervous tissues, etc. Fluid and electrolyte balance and Acid-Base balance regulation and disturbances.

25. Practical

26. Clinical Biochemistry-

Estimation in blood of glucose, GTT, glycosylated Hb, urea creatinine, uric acid, ammonia, clearance tests, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, bilirubin, total proteins, albumin, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, acid phosphatase, amylase, LD

H, CK total, CKMB, calcium, Phosphorus, serum electrolytes- sodium and potassium, blood gas analysis, Apo A, ApoB, copper, ceruloplasmin, iron, TIBC, ferritin, troponin, myoglobin. Urine analysis, microalbuminuria. Analysis of CSF and other body fluids. Chemiluminescence based immunoassays, Cell culture, HPLC, Mass spectrometry.

27. List of suggested practical

Protein fractionation- Ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography TLC for lipids, amino acids Kinetic analysis of enzymes (Alkaline phosphatase) from a suitable source Separation and molecular weight determination of proteins by SDS-PAGE Western Blotting Purification of IgG by protein A-Sepharose affinity column chromatography Estimation of proteins by Lowry and Bradford methods Separation of LDH isoenzymes by PAGE Serum protein electrophoresis on agarose gel and densitometric scanning. Immunodiffusion techniques-radial immunodiffusion, ouchterlony Immunofixation Lipoprotein electrophoresis Paper chromatography for separation of amino acids Separation of peripheral blood lymphocytes on Ficoll Hypaque Subcellular fractionation by ultracentrifugation Isolation of high molecular weight DNA from tissues/blood Restriction enzyme digestion of DNA Isolation of plasmid and agarose gel electrophoresis PCR ELISA for hormones/tumour markers radioactivity measurements, RIA Biostatistics, Research Methodology and Clinical Epidemiology Ethics Medico-legal aspects relevant to the discipline Health Policy issues as may be applicable to the discipline.

Career Options

After completing a DNB in Biochemistry, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from, including Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor, etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Biochemistry), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Biochemistry), Consultant Biochemistry Specialist, etc.

Courses After DNB in Biochemistry Course

DNB in Biochemistry is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing a specialization in DNB (Biochemistry), a candidate could also pursue super specialization courses recognized by NMC, where DNB (Biochemistry) is a feeder qualification.

DM Clinical Haematology is the course that requires DNB (Biochemistry) as a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – DNB in Biochemistry Course

Question: What is a DNB in Biochemistry?

Answer: DNB Biochemistry or Diplomate of National Board in Biochemistry also known as DNB in Biochemistry is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS.

Question: Is DNB in Biochemistry equivalent to MD in Biochemistry?

Answer: DNB in Biochemistry is equivalent to MD in Biochemistry, the list of recognised qualifications awarded by NBE in various broad and super specialities as approved by the Government of India are included in the first schedule of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

Question: What is the duration of a DNB in Biochemistry?

Answer: DNB in Biochemistry is a postgraduate programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a DNB in Biochemistry?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Question: What is the scope of a DNB in Biochemistry?

Answer: DNB in Biochemistry offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a DNB in Biochemistry postgraduate candidate?

Answer: The DNB in Biochemistry candidate's average salary is between Rs. 10 Lakh to Rs. 35 Lakh per annum depending on the experience.

Question: Are DNB Biochemistry and MD Biochemistry equivalent for pursuing teaching jobs?

Answer: The Diplomate of National Board in broad-speciality qualifications and super speciality qualifications when granted in a medical institution with attached hospital or in a hospital with the strength of five hundred or more beds, by the National Board of Examinations, shall be equivalent in all respects to the corresponding postgraduate qualification and the super-speciality qualification granted under the Act, but in all other cases, senior residency in a medical college for an additional period of one year shall be required for such qualification to be equivalent for the purposes of teaching also.