Welcome to the Department of Veterinary Microbiology. The Department of Veterinary Microbiology, situated at the both Belgachia (meant for PG and PhD courses) and Mohanpur (meant for UG courses) campuses, is a pioneering department under the Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, with a long heritage of catering education and research on pathogenic microbes for animals, birds and human as well, host-pathogen interactions of domestic animals and avian biological systems.

The Department has rich history of pioneering work related to Veterinary Microbiology in the country including first isolation and confirmation of Trichophyton rubrum (a kind of dermatophyte fungus) from dogs and calves in the world during 1954 in Bengal Veterinary College, the second Veterinary College in the country, work on FMD vaccine preparation and Rabies virus diagnostics. The legacy continued under the Headship of Prof. NC Nag, Prof. JP Ray, Prof. Ratna Das, and Dr. P.B. Sarkar followed by the present faculties.

The department specializes in cutting-edge research across antimicrobial resistance (AMR), zoonotic diseases, One Health, and molecular diagnostics. Core strength lies in veterinary immunology and vaccinology, specifically in vaccine candidate preparation for high-impact viral pathogens, including Bluetongue virus (BTV), Fowlpox virus (FPV), and Lumpy Skin Disease virus (LSDV). Committed to academic excellence, the department caters comprehensive teaching and hands-on training to B.V.Sc. & A.H., M.V.Sc., and Ph.D. scholars to shape the next generation of veterinary microbiologists and researchers.

The department is experienced to run several externally funded national and international research projects funded by ICAR, ICMR, DBT (GoI), ANRF (DST, GoI), DSTBT (Government of West Bengal), Medical Research Council (UK), Trinity Challenge for AMR (MIT, UK) etc. Currently the Department is engaged in molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistant bacteria (specially the ESBL-producing ESKAPE pathogens) in different livestock species, docking analysis of ESBL genes present in local isolates, socio-economic analysis for the antimicrobial usage in livestock in West Bengal, value chain analysis of antibiotic distribution pattern among the prescribers in West Bengal, development and evaluation of antibiotic usage guidelines for common animal diseases for para-veterinarians (in collaboration with LSHTM, UK), development of an ‘app’ for judicial antimicrobial usage for human and livestock (funded by Trinity Challenge, 2024 of MIT, UK initiative), development of plant-based products to replace use of antibiotics as growth promoter in poultry. Recently, the department is a leading partner of Indo-German collaborative network for veterinary research and education (InDeVet network). Some salient research achievements of the department include- i. Isolation of bluetongue virus (BTV) serotypes-15, -18 and -21 first-times from sheep, goats and Culicoides midges of West Bengal, ii. Application of cellular blotting technique in avian immune-effector cells, iii. Generation of in vitro T-cell lines from Indian Major Carp (Teleost fish), iv. Development of dot-ELISA based diagnostic tool for goat, fish and mithun leptin protein, v. Reported Lymphocystis virus infection in gold fish for the first time.

The department has basic (for UG/PG practical) and advanced laboratories with molecular bacteriology, virology (including cell culture facility), and immunology & serology sections. The sophisticated instruments viz. Thermocycler (normal and Gradient), Gel documentation system, biological safety cabinet, Inverted microscope, fluorescent microscope, Ultrasonicator, ELISA reader, semi-dry western blot apparatus, SDS-PAGE apparatus, 2D-gel electrophoresis apparatus, cooling micro-centrifuge etc. are utilized by the students, researchers and teachers of the department as well as also by other University/Institutes/Start-ups to complete their dissertation works, summer training project and different scientific programmes.

Apart from regular theory, practical classes and research work for BVSc, MVSc, PhD scholars the department is also engaged in conducting ICAR Short Courses, dissertation work/ summer research project work for the students of various Government and Private College/Universities. The passed out students of the department have been engaged in state and central Govt. services, agriculture research services, R&D organizations, post-doc researches etc.