Lipase patent granted

Chandigarh July 5, 2019 

 In the true meaning of Industry-Academia collaboration and innovation, Dr. Rohit Sharma, Chairperson, Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh was successfully granted a patent entitled “Lipase/esterase- catalysed synthesis of alkyl esters by trans esterification for a term of 20 years in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Act, 1970. 

 Dr. Rohit Sharma and his research group has been working on the enzyme, lipase for 15 years that has led to another achievement in the name of the University and the scientist. Lipase as an enzyme is extremely flexible with regard to its applications and market value, which is huge. Lipase is used for the production of biofuels and a large number of other products like edible flavours, intermediates for pharmaceuticals having massive societal impact. It also has large industrial applications ranging from healthcare to food industry. 

He further informed that they have developed and designed a process that 
synthesises esters (for Biofuel) and flavouring agents using this novel enzyme that trans-esterifies the substrate into a useful molecule, Fatty Acid Methyl Esters. 

The invention provides a novel bacterial strain useful for producing methyl 
esters and the process for same.” said Dr. Rohit Sharma.  

 He has been very working in collaboration with the industry for over a decade now. He also has a number of national and international linkages and recognitions in the field of Microbial Biotechnology. 

  Promoting innovation and the importance of intellectual property among the students of the University Dr. Rohit Sharma is also heading BioNEST (Bioincubator) at Panjab University. Panjab University is amongst the lead University in being granted the pre-incubation and incubation space. He has also been awarded the Pfizer-IIT Intellectual Property award 2018. Ms. Jasjeet Kaur, Dr. Vishal Thakur, Nils Kare Birkland and Mr. S.K Rana were part of the research group.       

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