Mangalore University: DST-PURSE Research Facility

About the Facility

Brochure of DST PURSE Lab

Established during August 2012 with a grant of Rs. 9 Crores from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India under the Programme ‘Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence’

Based on the institutional h-index of 31, Mangalore University in 2012 received a Grant of Rs. 9 Crores  from Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India for the Development of Research Infrastructure. The University has successfully utilized this grant received in three instalments of rupees 3 Crores each for establishing a Central Instrumentation Facility at Mangalagangothri Campus.  It is equipped with various high-end equipments such as Single Crystal X-Ray Diffractometer, Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer, Amino Acid Analyser, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive Spectrometer, Thermogravimetric  Alalyser & Differential Scanning Calorimeter / Differential Thermal Analyser, RF/DC-Magnetron Sputtering Unit, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, Laser Particle Analyser, Cytogenetic Workstation, Logic Analyser, Confocal Microscope, Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer and other equipments for research.  Currently, various research groups within and outside the University are utilizing these facilities for research work. These facilities are accessible to interested researchers at subsidized rates and the rates are displayed in the University web site. A project implementation group with Honourable Vice Chancellor as Chairman has been planning all activities of the PURSE Lab during 2012-2020.  As per the direction of DST,  a Well Wisher Committee for internal implementation and program review of DST PURSE programme has been constituted during October 2020 for  internal implementation and program review. The Committee consists of Honourable Vice Chancellor as Chairman, Deans of various faculties and  professors of various science departments of the university, faculty members from nearby research institutions etc as members.

Mangalore University has constant endeavour towards research excellence and remains committed to further enhanced performance in Science and Technology areas. The h-index of 31 during 2009 increased to 54 in 2017. Based on the research output, the University was eligible for the II Phase of DST PURSE grant of rupees 15 Crores. In 2017, Rs. 760.00 Lakhs has been sanctioned of which Rs.284L has been received and is being utilised for various activities of the lab.

PURSE Facility at Mangalore University organised Two  National Workshops for the users during March 2016.

1. A workshop on Theory and Practice of Molecular Structure Determination using X-ray Crystallography during March 3-5, 2016. The target group in the workshop was research students and professionals from physical, chemical and biological sciences having interest in studying the three dimensional structure of the molecules. Experts from the field of X-ray crystallography were invited to train the participants in both theoretical and practical aspects of this technique including crystallization, diffraction data collection and processing, structure solution, model building, refinement and evaluation.
2. A National Seminar and Workshop on Functional Nanomaterials for Energy, Environment and Health was organized during March 21-22, 2016. During the seminar a workshop by the Experts form Icon Analytical Equipment Pvt. Ltd., Waters India Pvt. Ltd. and Anton-Paar India Pvt. Ltd. was arranged. The workshop was aimed at providing an in-depth, vivid demonstration of the use and applications of the DST PURSE Laboratory facilities, thus encouraging their wide utilization in research related to functional nanomaterials.

            A large number of publications have emerged by use of the PURSE lab facilities during 2014-2020. More than1600 papers have been published in national and international journals. The work for obtaining the second instalment of the Phase II Grant is in progress. It is hoped that this facility will enhance possibilities of collaborative research between researchers of Mangalore University and other institutions/ industries and enable significant progress in Science and Technology for betterment of society.