Prof. Gunasekaran is teaching microbiology and related subjects for more than 30 years. He taught M.Sc. courses in biology, integrated biology, microbial gene technology, biochemical technology and genomics. Subjects that he taught include:
| SN | Course | Achivement |
| 1 | M.Sc. Genomics | First time ever in India under the UGC supported Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences (CEGS) programme |
| 2 | Integrated M.Sc. – Ph.D. in Genomics | First time ever in India from 2011 onwards under the support of DBT supported Interdisciplinary Programme of Life Sciences (IPLS) |
He has developed a state-of-the-art laboratory by his own projects. His lab is equipped with almost all sophisticated instruments need for research in Microbiology, Molecular Biology and related subjects. After establishing his laboratory, he established the Central Instrumentation Facility for the School of Biological Sciences under Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences and UGC-Networking Resource Centre in Biological Sciences and DST-FIST facility (Phase II). The central facility has following facility: Cell Culture facility, MicroArray facility, 2-D Electrophoresis systems, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Li- cor Photosynthesis system, Analytical and Preparative HPLC Systems, Elix3- MilliQ water system; Digital Autoclave; Gel documentation system; -86˚C freezers; UV-Vis spectrophotometers; Table top refrigerated and non-refrigerated centrifuges; Ice machines; PCR thermocyclers; Sonicator, Real Time-PCR, Automated Liquid Handling System, Atomic Force Microscope, Cryo preservation system, Fluorescence microscope, CHN Auto analyzer, Eddy Co- variance system, Ultra Centrifuges, Cold Room Facilities. He has created Smart Class Room facility, Conference Hall with Video Conference facility, Library with recent books related to Genomics and Life Sciences and major Research Journals.
The area of Genomics is becoming very important in biological, biomedical, industrial and agricultural sciences by providing newer tools in gathering information on genome diversity of organisms. This new field is also expected to provide solutions in biomedical research by creating possibilities to new therapies for genetic and microbial diseases including AIDS and tuberculosis. Because of its immediate and considerable impact, there is demand for highly qualified and trained manpower in this field. This program is supported by UGC with grant of 5 Crores during 2002-2007 and another 5 Crores for the period from 2007-2012. In addition to the M.Sc. Genomics programme, he is coordinating more than 10 research projects under this scheme conducted by various Principal Investigators. This centre is involved in high quality teaching and research activities in the area of Genomic Sciences.
M.Sc. Genomics is offered since 2002 from the School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University. Students with high academic standards are selected through a national level entrance test conducted by the University. A maximum of 16 students are admitted to M.Sc. Genomics each year and 40 % of the seats are reserved for other state students. The course is offered under Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) according to the UGC's recommendations. The course is framed to render a balanced teaching in theoretical, practical and computational aspects. Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Computational Biology and Immunology are the basic courses offered in the first year. Bioinformatics, Microbial Genomics, Human Genomics, Proteomics, Plant Genomics, Structural Biology and Neurogenetics are the courses offered in the third semester. Final semester is designed for a dedicated project work in Genomic Sciences.
Research in Genomic SciencesCEGS investigates different target areas of genomic sciences. In this phase II programme, research activities are continued in three broad areas, namely Microbial Genomics, Animal Genomics and Plant Genomics.
He is the Coordinator of the UGC-Networking Resource Centre in Biological Sciences (UGC-NRCBS), which is supported by UGC with the grant of 10 Crores. UGC has recognized School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University to establish a Networking Resource Centre in Biological sciences. UGC-NRCBS is serving as the resource centre for collaborative research and training for faculty, scientists and research students of other universities, colleges and institutions, with state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities. The major activities of the Networking Centre are:
He is the Coordinator of the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Higher Educational Institutions (FIST – Level II) supported by Department of Science & Technology with 2.3 Crores. This fund is to upgrade the instrumentation facility of School of Biological Sciences more sophisticated instruments. An excellent Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorter and Analyzer (FACSaria) facility has been set up. A Centre of Excellence in Flow Cytometry has been established in collocation with Becton Dickinson, India Ltd.
He is the Coordinator for the IPLS programme at School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University with the support of 12 Crores from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi. Under this programme, an Integrated M.Sc. – Ph.D. programme in Genomics is introduced first time in India. Selected candidates will be supported with a monthly scholarship of Rs.1,200 for the first two years. After completion of two years course requirements, University will confer M.Sc. (Genomics) degree to the students. Thereafter, top fifteen meritorious students will be admitted for Ph.D. in Genomics. During this period they will be supported with the monthly fellowship of Rs.14,000. Admission and enrollment for this part will be as per the regulation of UGC, DBT and Madurai Kamaraj Under this programme, Research Projects in the focused area of Disease Diagnostics and Therapeutics will be conducted for a period of five years.
Recently, he has received sanction of about 10 Crores from the Ministry of Human Resource Development to establish a Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Sciences and Modern Biology at School of Biological sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University.
He has established an endowment at Madurai Kamaraj University in the name of "First International Conference on Genomic Sciences 2010". This fund will support to conduct one day Annual Conference in Genomic Sciences at School of Biological Sciences. In addition, the first rank holder of M.Sc Genomics students will be honored with Gold Medal with this endowment fund.
He had organized an international conference and two national-level conferences at Madurai Kamaraj University. In addition, he had chaired more than 100 scientific sessions in various national and international symposia and conferences.
| SN | Society |
| 1 |
President of Biotechnology Research Society of India (BRSI), India (2011- 2013)
He has conducted its 7th Annual Convention at Madurai Kamaraj University in 2010. BRSI is associated with the International Organization for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IOBB). |
| 2 | President of Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI), India for the year 2008-2009
The AMI has tie-up with international societies such as American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME). The official journal of the AMI, Indian Journal of Microbiology is currently published by Springer. |
| SN | Board / Council / Committe |
| 1 | Chairman, Advisory Monitoring Committee, Centre for Biofuels, Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), DST, India – 2008 |
| 2 | Chairman, Technical Committee, Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (ICMR), Madurai |
| 3 | Chairman, Board of Studies in Microbiology (UG & PG), Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai |
| 4 | Chairman, Board of Studies, UG/PG Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Trichy |
| 5 | Chairman, Board of Studies, UG Microbiology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi |
| 6 | Member, Task Force in Bitechnology Products & Process Development, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi |
| 7 | Member, Task Force in Biological Agents for Agriculture, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi |
| 8 | Member, Task Force in Basic Science, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi |
| 9 | Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (ISBD), Imphal, Manipur |
| 10 | Member, Advisory Committee, Centre of Excellece in Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Trichirappalli |
| 11 | Member, Standing Committee for Academic Affairs, Bharathidasan University, Trichirappalli |
| 12 | Member, Scientific advisory committee, Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai |
| 13 | Member, Board of Studies in Biotechnology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry |
| 14 | Member Board of Studies in Microbiology, Padmavadhi Mahila University, Tirupathi |
| 15 | Member Board of Studies in Biotechnology, University of Madras |
| 16 | Member, Board of Studies in Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Cochin |
| 17 | Member, Boards of Studies in Microbiology and Marine Microbiology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli |
| 18 | Member, Boards of Studies in Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore |
| 19 | Member, Board of Studies in Microbiology, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, Karnataka |
| 20 | Member, Advisory Board, Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai |
| 21 | Member, Board of Studies in Microbiology, Karpagam University, Coimbatore |
| 22 | Member, Doctoral Committee, VIT University, Vellore |
| SN | Winter School / Summer School / Workshop / Training | Duration |
| 1 | UGC-NRCBS Winter School on Environmental Genomics | Dec 27, 2010 to Jan 10, 2011 |
| 2 | UGC-NRCBS Summer School on Gene Cloning and Expression in Bacteria | Sep 16 to Oct 1, 2010 |
| 3 | UGC-NRCBS Summer School on PCR Applications | Mar 17 - 31, 2010 |
| 4 | UGC-NRCBS Summer School on Recombinant DNA Technology | Jun 13 - 17, 2009 |
| 5 | UGC-NRCBS Winter School on Metagenomics | Mar 2 - 16, 2009 |
| 6 | UGC-NRCBS Winter School on Microbial Genome Typing | Dec 10 - 24, 2008 |
| 7 | DBT Short Term Training course on "Fermentation Strategies and Bioreactor Selection" Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad | Apr 15 to May 1, 1999 |
| 8 | Biotechnology Research Centre Short-term school on "Process design and scale up of innovative biopolymer fermentation" Indian Institute of Technology, Madras | May 18 - 23, 1998 |
| 9 | Short-term training course on "Approaches for improvement of Microbial strains for Industrial enzyme production", Madurai Kamaraj University, Funded by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India | Feb 1998 - Mar 1998 |
| 10 | Department of Biotechnology workshop on "Immobilization of cells and enzymes" Regional Research Laboratories, Trivandrum | April, 1993 |
| 11 | Academy staff college training course on "Molecular Microbiology", University Grants Commission, Government of India. | Feb - Mar, 1993 |
| 12 | Academy staff college training course on "Molecular Microbiology", University Grants Commission, Government of India. | Apr - May, 1991 |
| 13 | Department of Biotechnology workshop on "Biotechnology of Methanogenic anaerobes "Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore | Oct 22 - Nov 9, 1990 |
| 14 | Short-term training course on "Modern approaches in Bioprocess Technology of enzymes and fuels", Funded by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. | Dec 1990 - Jan 1991 |
| 15 | Department of Biotechnology workshop on "Process Technology in Biotechnology Industries" Anna University Madras | Apr 12 - 25, 1989 |