Doctor of Medicine (MD) Biochemistry: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Fee, Eligibility criteria details here
MD Biochemistry or Doctor of Medicine in Biochemistry also known as MD in Biochemistry is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India. This course is done 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 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.
This is a full-time course. The top medical college offering this course is All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna.
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 MD (Biochemistry) varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 42,000 to 12.3 Lakhs per year.
After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue a super-specialization course where MD 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 INR 7 - 12 3 Lakhs per annum.
What is MD in Biochemistry?
Doctor of Medicine in Biochemistry, also known as M.D. (Biochemistry) or M.D. (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 level.
National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for MD in Biochemistry.
The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of MDs in Biochemistry.
The 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 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 teaching 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 MD in Biochemistry
Name of Course | MD 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 |
Admission Process / Entrance Process / Entrance Modalities | Entrance Exam (NEET PG) INI CET for various AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru Counselling by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities |
Course Fees | 42,000 to 12.3 Lakhs per year |
Average Salary | INR 7 - 12 3 Lakhs per annum. |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for MD in Biochemistry are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include:
• Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
• 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).
• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of 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).
Admission Process
The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to MD in Biochemistry. Candidates can view the complete admission process for MD in Biochemistry mentioned below:
• The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post Graduate 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 |
1. | General |
2. | SC/ST/OBC (Including PWD of SC/ST/OBC) |
3. | UR PWD |
The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for MD/MS seats through NEET- PG:
1. AIIMS, New Delhi and other AIIMS
2. PGIMER, Chandigarh
3. JIPMER, Puducherry
4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru
5. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST), Trivandrum
Fees Structure
The fee structure for MD in Biochemistry varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for MD in Biochemistry is around 42,000 to 12.3 Lakhs per year.
Colleges offering MD in Biochemistry
There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing MD (Biochemistry).
As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering MD (Biochemistry) courses for the academic year 2022-23.
Sl.No. | State | Name and Address of Medical College / Medical Institution | No. of seats | |||
1 | Bihar | All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna | 9 | |||
2 | Chattisgarh | Late Shri Lakhi Ram Agrawal Memorial Govt. Medical College, Raigarh | 3 | |||
3 | Karnataka | East Point College of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore | 4 | |||
4 | Karnataka | Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences, Karwar | 5 | |||
5 | Karnataka | Sri siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore | 5 | |||
6 | Kerala | Malabar Medical College, Kozhikode, Calicut | 2 | |||
7 | Maharashtra | Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College & Hospital, Sangli | 3 | |||
8 | Tamil Nadu | Annapoorna Medical College & Hospital, Salem | 2 | |||
9 | Telangana | Dr. Patnam Mahender Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Chevella, Rangareddy | 2 | |||
Stipend MD Biochemistry
The stipend offered by various medical colleges in India for MD Biochemistry in the year 2022 is as follows:
State | College Name | Stipend Amount | |
Andhra Pradesh | Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Andhra Pradesh | Government Medical College, Ananthapuram | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 44075 |
Andhra Pradesh | Guntur Medical College, Guntur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Andhra Pradesh | Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Andhra Pradesh | Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Andhra Pradesh | S V Medical College, Tirupati | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 44075 |
Andhra Pradesh | Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 80904 |
Assam | Assam Medial College, Dibrugarh | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Assam | Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Assam | Jorhat Medical College & Hospital, Jorhat | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Assam | Silchar Medical College, Silchar | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Assam | Tezpur Medical College & Hospital, Tezpur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Bihar | Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College, Gaya | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Bhagwan Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences, Pawapuri | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Darbhanga Medical College, Lehriasarai | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Government Medical College, Bettiah | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 99000 |
Bihar | Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Katihar Medical College, Katihar | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Mata Gujri Memorial Medical College, Kishanganj | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Nalanda Medical College, Patna | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Narayan Medical College & Hospital, Sasaram | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Bihar | Patna Medical College, Patna | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 68545 |
Chandigarh | Government Medical College, Chandigarh | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 65730 |
Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 53550 |
Chhattisgarh | Pt. J N M Medical College, Raipur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 53550 |
Delhi | Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences & Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 117697 |
Delhi | G.B. Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 117984 |
Delhi | Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 56100 |
Delhi | Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 110533 |
Delhi | University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, New Delhi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 115004 |
Delhi | Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 90000 |
Delhi | VP Chest Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 117985 |
Goa | Goa Medical College, Panaji | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 60000 |
Gujarat | B J Medical College, Ahmedabad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 84000 |
Gujarat | GCS Medical College, Ahmedabad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 84000 |
Gujarat | Government Medical College, Bhavnagar | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 84000 |
Gujarat | Government Medical College, Surat | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 84000 |
Gujarat | Medical College, Baroda | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 84000 |
Gujarat | Narendra Modi Medical College, Ahmedabad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 84000 |
Gujarat | Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Vadodara | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 84000 |
Gujarat | Pramukhswami Medical College, Karmsad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 78764 |
Haryana | Employees State Insurance Corporation Medical College | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 117985 |
Haryana | Kalpana Chawala Govt. Medical College, Karnal, Haryana | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 78764 |
Haryana | Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 92903 |
Haryana | Pt. B D Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 90200 |
Haryana | Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 56100 |
Himachal Pradesh | Dr. Rajendar Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, H.P | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 40000 |
Jharkhand | Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 91218 |
Karnataka | Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 45000 |
Karnataka | Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences,Bidar | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 45000 |
Karnataka | Employees State Insurance Corporation Medical College | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 102838 |
Karnataka | K S Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 45000 |
Karnataka | Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences,Shimoga | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 45000 |
Kerala | Amrita School of Medicine, Elamkara, Kochi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 43000 |
Kerala | Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Calicut | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 55120 |
Kerala | Government Medical College, Thrissur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 55120 |
Kerala | Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 55120 |
Kerala | Sree Gokulam Medical College Trust & Research Foundation | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 53000 |
Kerala | T D Medical College, Alleppey (Allappuzha) | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 55120 |
Madhya Pradesh | Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 0 |
Madhya Pradesh | M G M Medical College, Indore | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 69116 |
Madhya Pradesh | Government Medical College, Datia, MP | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 69115 |
Madhya Pradesh | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 69115 |
Madhya Pradesh | M G M Medical College, Indore | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 69115 |
Maharashtra | Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Govt. Medical College, Nanded | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 75144 |
Maharashtra | Government Medical College, Aurangabad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 64551 |
Maharashtra | Grant Medical College, Mumbai | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 75144 |
Maharashtra | Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital, Nagpur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 75144 |
Maharashtra | Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Sion, Mumbai | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 64500 |
Maharashtra | Shri Vasant Rao Naik Govt. Medical College, Yavatmal | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 64551 |
Maharashtra | SRTR Medical College, Ambajogai | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 75144 |
Manipur | Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50000 |
Manipur | Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 97870 |
Meghalaya | North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Instt. of Health and | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 80000 |
Orissa | MKCG Medical College, Berhampur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 63146 |
Orissa | SCB Medical College, Cuttack | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 63146 |
Orissa | Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 63146 |
Pondicherry | Aarupadai Veedu Medical College, Pondicherry | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 30000 |
Punjab | Government Medical College, Amritsar | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 67968 |
Punjab | Government Medical College, Patiala | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 67968 |
Rajasthan | Dr SN Medical College, Jodhpur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 76176 |
Rajasthan | Government Medical College, Kota | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 55200 |
Rajasthan | Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Ajmer | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 76176 |
Rajasthan | Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 55200 |
Rajasthan | R N T Medical College, Udaipur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 76176 |
Rajasthan | RUHS College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 55200 |
Rajasthan | Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 76176 |
Rajasthan | SMS Medical College, Jaipur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 55200 |
Sikkim | Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Gangtok | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 34000 |
Tamil Nadu | Chengalpattu Medical College, Chengalpattu | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 49440 |
Tamil Nadu | Christian Medical College, Vellore | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 37225 |
Tamil Nadu | Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 49440 |
Tamil Nadu | Govt. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Salem- 30 | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 49440 |
Tamil Nadu | K A P Viswanathan Government Medical College, Trichy | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 56100 |
Tamil Nadu | K A P Viswanathan Government Medical College, Trichy | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 49440 |
Tamil Nadu | Madras Medical College, Chennai | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 49440 |
Tamil Nadu | Madurai Medical College, Madurai | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Tamil Nadu | Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalainagar | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Tamil Nadu | Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 35000 |
Tamil Nadu | SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Tamil Nadu | Stanley Medical College, Chennai | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 49440 |
Tamil Nadu | Stanley Medical College, Chennai | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 56100 |
Tamil Nadu | Thanjavur Medical College,Thanjavur | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Tamil Nadu | Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Trichy | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 35000 |
Tamil Nadu | Vinayaka Missions Kirupananda Variyar Medical College | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 117985 |
Telangana | Employees State Insurance Corporation Medical College | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Telangana | Government Medical College, Nizamabad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Telangana | Government Medical College, Suryapet | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Telangana | Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Telangana | Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 99969 |
Telangana | Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Telangana | Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Adilabad | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Telangana | Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Research Centre | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 50686 |
Tripura | Agartala Government Medical College,Agartala | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 48000 |
Uttar Pradesh | Era Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 62000 |
Uttar Pradesh | Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 95033 |
Uttar Pradesh | Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 96000 |
Uttar Pradesh | King George Medical University, Lucknow | MD - Bio-Chemistry | 109955 |
Syllabus
An MD in Biochemistry is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Biochemistry.
The course content for MD in Biochemistry is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed on the link given below:
NMC Guidelines For Competency-Based Training Programme For MD Biochemistry
The course contents are outlined below:
Paper I
Biomolecules, cell biology, biochemical techniques, biostatistics and research methodology, basics of medical education in teaching and assessment of biochemistry.
Biomolecules:
Properties of water
Concept of an acid, a base, pH, pK, buffer and buffering capacity
Classification, structure and functions of amino acids and peptides
Structural organization of proteins and relationship with their functions
primary, secondary, tertiary and quarternary structure of proteins
protein folding and denaturation
Structure-function relationship of proteins
Structure and functions of hemoglobin and myoglobin
Structure and function of collage
Structure and function of immunoglobulins
Classification, functions, properties and reactions of carbohydrates
Classification, properties and importance of lipids
Fatty acids - nomenclature, classification, properties, reactions
Mono, di- and triacylglycerols
Trans fats
Cholesterol - structure, properties and functions
Phospholipids - definition, types, properties, s and importance
Glycolipids - definition, types, functions, examples.
Lipoproteins - definition, structure, types, functions, role of apoproteins, importance in health and disease.
Biological membranes - structure, function, properties and importance.
Micelles and liposomes
Nucleotides and nucleic acids
purine and pyrimidine bases in DNA and RNA
nucleosides and nucleotides
physiologically important nucleotides
synthetic analogues of purine/pyrimidine bases and nucleosides used as therapeutic agents (anti-cancer drugs, anti-viral drugs)
Watson and Crick model of DNA structure
Structure and functions of different types of RNA.
Cell biology
Structure of the cell and different subcellular organelles
Structure and functions of cell membrane, solute transport across biological membranes
Intracellular traffic and sorting of proteins
Intracellular signaling pathways, membrane receptors and second messengers Extracellular matrix: composition, importance and biomedical importance, cellular adhesion molecules and intercellular communication
Cytoskeleton, muscle contraction and cell motility
Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis and mechanisms of cell death
Red and white blood cells
Analytical techniques in biochemistry
Spectrophotometry (UV and visible spectrophotometry),
Atomic absorption spectrophotometry
Flame photometry
Fluorometry
Turbidimetry and nephelometry
Gravimetry
Spectrophotometry (UV and visible spectrophotometry
Electrochemistry (pH electrodes, ion-selective electrodes, gas-sensing electrodes)
Chemiluminescence
Water testing
Electrophoresis (principle, types, applications; isoelectric focusing capillary electrophoresis; 2-D electrophoresis)
Chromatography (principle, types [including high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography])
Techniques in molecular biology: Blotting techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA and protein sequencing, microarrays and DNA chip technology, cloning techniques, genomics, proteomics and metabolomics
Nanotechnology and microfabrication
Techniques to study in vivo metabolism - NMR, SPECT, PET scans, etc
Radioisotope-based techniques and its applications
Biostatistics and research methodology
Basic concepts of biostatistics as applied to health science
Statistical tests: t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square test, non-parametric tests, correlation and regression
Statistical methods of validation of diagnostic tests
Basics of epidemiological study designs and sampling methodologies
Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
Basics of medical education in teaching and assessment of biochemistry
Principles of adult learning, taxonomy of learning, educational objectives, principles of assessment and question paper setting, methods of assessing knowledge, appropriate use of media, microteaching, small group teaching.
Environmental Biochemistry:
Health and pollution.
Paper II:
Enzymes, bioenergetics, biological oxidation, intermediary metabolism and regulation, inborn errors of metabolism and nutrition
Enzymes:
Properties, classification, mechanism of action, coenzymes and cofactors, kinetics of enzyme activity, regulation of enzyme activity, isoenzymes, diagnostic and therapeutic enzymes, principles of assays of enzymes, enzymes as therapeutic targets of drugs.
Biological oxidation
Basic concepts of thermodynamics and its laws, as applied to living systems,
Exergonic and endergonic reactions and coupled reactions, redox potential ,
High energy compounds
Classification and role of oxidoreductases Cytochromes; cytochrome P450 system
Respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation
Components, complexes and functioning of the respiratory chain
Process of oxidative phosphorylation
Mechanisms of ATP synthesis and regulation
Mitochondrial transport systems and shuttles
Inhibitors, uncouplers and ionophores
OXPHOS diseases
Overview of metabolism and intermediary metabolism
Metabolism of carbohydrates
Digestion and absorption
Glycolysis and TCA cycle, including regulation
Glycogen metabolism and its regulation
Cori cycle, gluconeogenesis and control of blood glucose
Metabolism of fructose and galactose
Pentose phosphate and uronic acid pathways and their significance
Polyol pathway
Regulation of blood glucose levels
Diabetes mellitus (including gestational diabetes mellitus) – classification, pathogenesis, metabolic abnormalities, diagnostic criteria, principles of treatment, pathogenesis of complications, laboratory tests
Metabolism of ethanol
Metabolism of lipids
Digestion and absorption, including role of bile salts
Biosynthesis and oxidation of fatty acids
Ketone bodies – formation, utilisation and regulation
Metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids and eicosanoids
Metabolism of triacylglycerol; storage and mobilisation of fats
Metabolism of cholesterol
Metabolism of lipoproteins
Metabolism in adipose tissue
Role of liver in lipid metabolism
Role of lipids in atherogenesis
Metabolism of phospholipids and associated disorders
Metabolism of amino acids and proteins
Digestion and absorption
Pathways of amino acid degradation - transamination, oxidative deamination
Transport and metabolism of ammonia
Metabolism of individual amino acids.
Plasma proteins
Metabolism of nucleotides
De novo synthesis of purine nucleotides
Salvage pathway for purines
Degradation of purines
De novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides
Degradation of pyrimidine
Synthetic analogues of purine/pyrimidine bases and nucleosides used as therapeutic agents
Metabolism of haem
Biosynthesis of heme and associated disorders
Degradation of heme and associated disorders
Metabolism in individual tissues and in the fed and fasting states
Liver, adipose tissue, brain, RBCs
Nutrition
Principal food components
General nutritional requirements
Energy requirements
Biological value of proteins
Thermogenic effect of food
Balanced diet, diet formulations in health and disease, mixed diet
Nutritional supplements
Food toxins and additives
Parenteral nutrition
Disorders of nutrition, obesity, protein and protein energy malnutrition, dietary fibers, under-nutrition, laboratory diagnosis of nutritional disorders
National Nutrition Programme.
Vitamins
Classification, biochemical role, sources, RDA and deficiency state of each vitamin (including diagnostic tests for deficiency and treatment)
Minerals
Classification, biochemical role, sources, requirement and deficiency state of each mineral (including diagnostic tests for deficiency and treatment)
Metabolism of xenobiotics
Free radicals and anti-oxidant defence systems in the bodyand associations with disease processes
Paper III:
Molecular biology, molecular and genetic aspects of cancer, immunology and effects of environmental pollutants on the body
Structure and organization of chromosomes and chromatin re-modelling
DNA replication
• DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes (including important differences between the two):
• Roles of DNA polymerase, helicase, primase, topoisomerase and DNA ligase
• Replication fork
• Okazaki fragments and its importance in replication.
• Overview of role of major DNA repair mechanisms – mismatch repair, base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair and double strand break repair.
• Diseases associated with abnormalities of DNA repair systems
• DNA recombination
Transcription
• Structure of a gene - exons and introns, promoter, enhancers/repressors and response elements.
• Process of transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes – initiation, elongation and termination (including important differences).
• Post-transcriptional processing – capping, tailing and splicing.
Genetic code and mutations
• Characteristics of the genetic code
• Molecular basis of degeneracy of the genetic code (Wobble hypothesis)
• Mutagens- examples of physical, chemical and biological mutagens.
• Types of mutations – point mutations and chromosomal mutations
• Relationship of mutations with specific diseases
Translation
• Basic structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes.
• Structure of tRNA (diagram of clover leaf model of tRNA structure) and its function in protein synthesis.
• Function of aminoacyl tRNA synthase.
• Process of protein synthesis (translation) – initiation, elongation and termination (including important differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic translation).
• Inhibition of prokaryotic translation by antibiotics.
• Post-translational modifications
Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
• The operon concept in prokaryotes
• Role of general and gene specific transcription factors
• Small interference RNA (siRNA) and micro RNA (miRNA).
• Other modes of regulation of gene expression: alternative splicing, alternative promoter usage, DNA methylation, Histone acetylation / deacetylation, RNA editing, alterations of RNA stability
Recombinant DNA technology and its applications in modern medicine
• Concepts of recombinant DNA, genetic engineering, biotechnology and cloning.
• Restriction endonucleases.
• Vectors for cloning – plasmids and phages.
• Genomic and cDNA libraries.
• Applications of recombinant DNA technology in medicine.
• Gene therapy
• Diagnosis of genetic diseases and genetic counseling
• DNA fingerprinting
• DNA sequencing
• Microarrays
• Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
• DNA vaccines
• Transgenic animals
• Application of molecular techniques in forensic investigation and medico- legal cases
Overview of Human Genome Project
Basics of bioinformatics
Principles of human genetics
• Alleles, genotypes and phenotypes
• Patterns of inheritance: monogenic and polygenic inheritance
• Population genetics
• Genetic factors in causation of diseases
• Types of genetic diseases: Chromosomal, monogenic and polygenic disorders, mitochondrial disorders, nucleotide repeat expansion disorders, imprinting disorders
• Screening for genetic diseases and prenatal testing
• Ethical and legal issues related to medical genetics
Stem cells in clinical medicine
• Basic concepts regarding stem cells
• Types of stem cells: embryonic and induced pleuripotent stem cells (IPSC)
• Potential applications in the clinical medicine
• Ethical and legal issues related to use of stem cells in medicine
Cancer
• Carcinogens: physical, chemical and biological
• Clonal origin of cancers
• Genetic basis of carcinogenesis
• Role of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes
• Familial cancer syndromes
• Cancer stem cells
• Epigenetic regulation in cancer
• Gene expression profiling in cancer
• Cancer cell biology: cell cycle abnormalities, telomerase activity, proliferative capacity and decreased apoptosis
• Metastasis
• Tumor markers
• Biochemical basis of cancer chemotherapy and drug resistance
• New methods of anti-cancer therapy: targeted cancer therapy, cancer immunotherapy.
Immunology
• Innate and acquired immunity
• Humoral and cell-mediated immunity
• Cells and organs of the immune system - T and B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, granulocytes
• Antigens, epitopes and haptens
• Immunoglobulin classes, isotypes, allotypes, idiotypes, monoclonal antibodies, organization and expression of immunoglobulin genes, immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, class switching
• Antigen-antibody interaction - immunochemical techniques
• Major histocompatibility complex, antigen processing and presentation,
• T cell and B cell receptor, toll like receptors
• T cell maturation/activation/differentiation
• B cell generation/activation/differentiation
• Cytokines
• Complement system, cell
• Immune response to infections
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Vaccines
• Immuno-deficiency syndromes
• Autoimmunity
• Transplantation immunology
• Cancer and immune system,
• Immunodiagnostics
• Immunotherapy
Paper IV
Clinical biochemistry and molecular diagnostics related to different body systems/organs, endocrinology, and recent advances in biochemistry
Basic principles and practice of clinical biochemistry
Units of measure, reagents, clinical laboratory supplies, basic separation techniques, laboratory calculations, specimen collection and processing, safety in the laboratory, clinical utility of laboratory tests (including sensitivity, specificity, ROC curves, etc), analysis in the laboratory, selection and evaluation of methods (including statistical techniques), evidence- based laboratory medicine, establishment and use of reference values, pre-analytical variables and biological variations, quality management, c1inical laboratory informatics
Analytical techniques and instrumentation
Principles of basic techniques used in a clinical biochemistry laboratory (spectrophotometry, electrochemistry, electrophoresis, osmometry, chromatography, mass spectrometry, immunochemical techniques, molecular techniques, automation, point of care testing.
Clinical correlates and analytical procedures
• Amino acids, peptides and proteins; non-protein nitrogenous compounds
• enzymes
• carbohydrates
• lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins and other cardiovascular risk factors
• electrolytes
• blood gases and pH
• hormones and associated disorders
• catecholamines and serotonin
• vitamins; trace and toxic elements
• hemoglobin, and bilirubin
• porphyrins and associated disorders
• bone and mineral metabolism
• tumour markers
• assessment of organ functions (hypothalamus and pituitary, adrenal glands, gonads, thyroid, parathyroid, liver, kidney, heart, stomach, pancreas, intestine, etc) and associated disorders
• pregnancy and maternal and fetal health
• reproduction related disorders – infertility
• newborn screening
• inborn errors of metabolism
• hemostasis
• therapeutic drug monitoring
• clinical toxicology
• molecular diagnostics
• body fluid analyses
Regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance and associated disorders
Regulation of acid-base balance and associated disorder
Biochemistry of the endocrine system
• Classification and general mechanism of action of hormones
• Biosynthesis, secretion, regulation, transport and mode of action of hypothalamic peptides, adenohypophyseal and neurohypophyseal hormones, thyroid and parathyroid hormones, calcitonin, pancreatic hormones, adrenocortical and medullary hormones, gonadal hormones, gastrointestinal hormones, opioid peptides, parahormones.
• Biochemistry of conception, reproduction and contraception
• Endocrine interrelationship and their involvement in metabolic regulation
• Neuro-modulators and their mechanism of action and physiological significance
• Biochemical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of endocrinal disorders:
Hematopoietic disorders
• Iron deficiency and other hypoproliferativeanaemias - iron metabolism, laboratory tests of iron status, iron therapy
• Anaemia of chronic disease, anaemia of renal disease
• Hemoglobinopathies - sickle cell anaemia, methaemoglobinemias, thalassemia syndromes, Megaloblastic anaemia
• RBC membrane and metabolism
• Hemolytic anaemia - 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.
Hemostasis and thrombosis
Biochemical mechanisms, related laboratory tests, antiplatelet/anticoagulant/fibrinolytic therapy
Cardiovascular system
Atherosclerosis - pathogenesis, risk factors, prevention and treatment Cardiac failure, acute coronary syndrome, cardiac biomarkers
Respiratory system
Gaseous exchange in lungs - physiological features and disturbances, arterial blood gases Pathogenesis of cystic emphysema, alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency
Kidney
Kidney function tests; pathophysiology, biochemistry, laboratory findings and management in acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease; estimation of GFR; glomerular diseases - pathogenesis and mechanisms of glomerular injury, nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy; tubular disorders - renal tubular acidosis, proteinuria, nephrolithiasis, kidney transplant; biochemical aspects of renal stones.
Gastrointestinal system
• Gastric physiology
• Pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease, including role of H. pylori; gastric function tests; Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
• Digestion and absorption of nutrients; evaluation of malabsorption (steatorrhea, lactose intolerance)
• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Protein losing enteropathy
• Regulatory peptides in the gut
• Neuroendocrine tumours
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.
Bone and mineral metabolism
Bone structure and metabolism;metabolism of calcium, phosphate and magnesium; regulation and abnormalities of bone metabolism; vitamin D; parathyroid hormone; calcitonin; parathyroid hormone-related (PTHrP); osteoporosis – pathophysiology; markers of bone turnover
Nervous system
• Neurotransmitters and their receptors
• Ion channels and channelopathies
• Neurotrophic factors
• Protein aggregation and neurodegeneration
• Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis
• Prions and prion diseases
• Guillain-Barre syndrome – immunopathogenesis
• Myasthenia gravis – pathophysiology
• Hereditary myopathies - Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Inherited disorders of muscle energy metabolism
• Mitochondrial myopathies
• Pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia
Career Options
After completing an MD 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 which include 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), Critical Care Specialist, Consultant Biochemistry Specialist, etc.
Courses After MD in Biochemistry Course
MD in Biochemistry is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing a specialization in MD (Biochemistry), a candidate could also pursue super specialization courses recognized by NMC, where MD (Biochemistry) is a feeder qualification.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - MD in Biochemistry Course
Question: What is a MD in Biochemistry?
Answer: MD Biochemistry or Doctor of Medicine in Biochemistry also known as MD in Biochemistry is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS.
Question: What is the duration of an MD in Biochemistry?
Answer: MD in Biochemistry is a postgraduate programme of three years.
Question: What is the eligibility of an MD in Biochemistry?
Answer: Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India.
Question: What is the scope of an MD in Biochemistry?
Answer: MD in Biochemistry offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.
Question: What is the average salary for an MD in Biochemistry postgraduate candidate?
Answer: The MD in Biochemistry candidate's average salary is between INR 7 - 12 Lakhs per anum depending on the experience.
Question: What is the scope of MD biochemistry?
Answer: Assistant Professor - Clinical Biochemistry. Tutor Demonstrator - Physiology Biochemistry Anatomy. Consultant - Biochemistry. Laboratory Technician - Biochemistry.
Question: Can I do MD after BSC biochemistry?
Answer: No. You can't study MD in Biochemistry after a BSc in Biochemistry. To get Admission in MD Biochemistry, you should hold an MBBS degree from a reputed medical college approved by MCI to be eligible for the MD program.
Disclaimer: This site is primarily intended for healthcare professionals. Any content/information on this website does not replace the advice of medical and/or health professionals and should not be construed as medical/diagnostic advice/endorsement/treatment or prescription. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use, privacy policy, advertisement policy. © 2024 Minerva Medical Treatment Pvt Ltd