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Pursuing a PhD in Biological Sciences at Krea University’s School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences (SIAS) offers a unique departure from traditional, siloed doctoral programmes. The Biological Sciences PhD programme is unique because it leverages Krea’s philosophy of Interwoven Learning, a powerful and multi-directional approach to knowledge that encourages creativity, critical thinking, communication, contemplation, cross-disciplinary approaches, real-world implementation, and the ability to negotiate unanswered questions. While the programme allows scholars to delve deeply into a specific area of Biology that fascinates them, it also encourages scholars to look beyond the boundaries of Biology and integrate perspectives from the other sciences (eg. Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics) to the humanities and social sciences (eg. Environmental Studies, Sociology and History).
This approach ensures that research is not conducted in a vacuum but is instead addressed within the complex, real-world contexts of the 21st century. For a biologist, this means the opportunity to develop a well-rounded professional profile—one that combines deep technical expertise with the critical thinking and communication skills essential for leadership in the global scientific community.
Ecology and Evolution (eg. Variation in life history strategies, plant-animal interactions, butterfly behaviour and disease ecology)
Microbiology and Molecular Biology (eg. bacterial physiology, phage biology and engineering, protein engineering)
Neurobiology (eg. Computational neuroscience, epilepsy and traumatic brain injuries, mitochondria and neurodegeneration, peptide-based therapeutics)
Structural Biophysics (eg. Bio-NMR, protein structure and dynamics, modelling, protein-protein interaction)
Systems Biology (eg. Prospective health – the determinants of baseline health, bacterial engineering)
The Mazumdar-Shaw Biological Sciences Laboratory serves as a foundational teaching space where students learn to use scientific tools to observe, monitor, measure, and assay biological phenomena. The purpose of the Lab is to instill a practical and empirical approach to the biological sciences, and to enable students to conduct biological inquiry. An inquiry-based curriculum and a hands-on instructional framework have been designed to engage learners at the undergraduate level. Students are encouraged to spend time in the lab outside of class hours as well to indulge their interest in the practice of biological science tools, and to develop proficiency in the same. Students receive instruction in fundamental biological laboratory practices, use of biosafety procedures and devices, maintenance of a laboratory journal, preparation of solutions and their use, mixing of compounds into a solution, measurement of pH, culture and manipulation of microbes, gene cloning, chromatographic resolution of biomolecules, assay and measurement of chemicals, biomolecules, and their reactions, and of their physical and chemical attributes- spectroscopically or through binding assays, the storage and preservation of biological reagents, the study of computer models of biomolecules, the observation of ecological and evolutionary phenomenon, and much more besides. In advanced sessions, students also learn to design and set up experiments, make observations, and infer from those observations.
The Core Evolution and Life Sciences Laboratory (CELL) is Krea’s biological research lab. It features an integrated modular design for evolutionary and life science studies, including sample preparation areas, BSL-2 facility, dedicated microscopy and spectroscopy units, and facilities for the entire workflow of microbial culture and manipulation and subsequent protein expression and analyses. CELL also includes a suite of instruments for wellness and baseline health studies.
The Mitochondrial Networks and Disease (MiND) Laboratory studies mitochondrial regulation and its interactome in aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration. By combining experimental and computational (AI) approaches, the MiND laboratory investigates mitochondrial membrane protein structures, functions, interactions, and their dysregulation in human brain aging and neuronal dysfunction. Using engineered membrane proteins, and by pioneering specialized tools to discover their molecular function in real time in the cell, the laboratory aims to design and develop futuristic peptidomimetics as medical interventions and long-term bio-therapeutics for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
The Laboratory of Antimicrobial Innovation focusses on deducing the molecular interplay between bacteria and their phages to identify molecular factors that facilitate bacteriophages infecting their bacterial hosts. The laboratory particularly studies how mycobacteriophage-mediated mycobacterial killing is regulated at the molecular level, towards engineering phage-derived biomolecules as next-generation antimicrobial therapy for tuberculosis. The laboratory also develops bacteriophages and their derivatives as alternative therapeutics for ESKAPE pathogens.
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility supports Physics, Chemistry, and Biology through advanced multi-dimensional NMR experiments. The 300 MHz NMR spectrometer is equipped with a solid-state probe for Physics and materials research in a wide range of temperatures. The 600 MHz spectrometer is equipped with a cryoprobe for solution samples, especially low-concentration samples such as biomolecular samples. This experimental setup focuses on the structure, dynamics, and interactions of biomolecules. The 600 MHz NMR spectrometer can be used for Quantum information and Quantum Computation.
The Greenhouse Facility features two climate-controlled environments, the greenhouse facilities are optimised for experimental research in evolutionary biology, ecology and climate change biology. These specialised spaces allow scientists to investigate complex biological interactions and environmental dynamics. By facilitating high-impact ecological experiments, the facility addresses critical questions about natural systems, helping researchers understand how diverse species respond to changing conditions and interact within their ecosystems.
The Mazumdar-Shaw Biological Sciences Laboratory serves as a foundational teaching space where students learn to use scientific tools to observe, monitor, measure, and assay biological phenomena. The purpose of the Lab is to instill a practical and empirical approach to the biological sciences, and to enable students to conduct biological inquiry. An inquiry-based curriculum and a hands-on instructional framework have been designed to engage learners at the undergraduate level. Students are encouraged to spend time in the lab outside of class hours as well to indulge their interest in the practice of biological science tools, and to develop proficiency in the same. Students receive instruction in fundamental biological laboratory practices, use of biosafety procedures and devices, maintenance of a laboratory journal, preparation of solutions and their use, mixing of compounds into a solution, measurement of pH, culture and manipulation of microbes, gene cloning, chromatographic resolution of biomolecules, assay and measurement of chemicals, biomolecules, and their reactions, and of their physical and chemical attributes- spectroscopically or through binding assays, the storage and preservation of biological reagents, the study of computer models of biomolecules, the observation of ecological and evolutionary phenomenon, and much more besides. In advanced sessions, students also learn to design and set up experiments, make observations, and infer from those observations.
The Core Evolution and Life Sciences Laboratory (CELL) is Krea’s biological research lab. It features an integrated modular design for evolutionary and life science studies, including sample preparation areas, BSL-2 facility, dedicated microscopy and spectroscopy units, and facilities for the entire workflow of microbial culture and manipulation and subsequent protein expression and analyses. CELL also includes a suite of instruments for wellness and baseline health studies.
The Mitochondrial Networks and Disease (MiND) Laboratory studies mitochondrial regulation and its interactome in aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration. By combining experimental and computational (AI) approaches, the MiND laboratory investigates mitochondrial membrane protein structures, functions, interactions, and their dysregulation in human brain aging and neuronal dysfunction. Using engineered membrane proteins, and by pioneering specialized tools to discover their molecular function in real time in the cell, the laboratory aims to design and develop futuristic peptidomimetics as medical interventions and long-term bio-therapeutics for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
The Laboratory of Antimicrobial Innovation focusses on deducing the molecular interplay between bacteria and their phages to identify molecular factors that facilitate bacteriophages infecting their bacterial hosts. The laboratory particularly studies how mycobacteriophage-mediated mycobacterial killing is regulated at the molecular level, towards engineering phage-derived biomolecules as next-generation antimicrobial therapy for tuberculosis. The laboratory also develops bacteriophages and their derivatives as alternative therapeutics for ESKAPE pathogens.
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility supports Physics, Chemistry, and Biology through advanced multi-dimensional NMR experiments. The 300 MHz NMR spectrometer is equipped with a solid-state probe for Physics and materials research in a wide range of temperatures. The 600 MHz spectrometer is equipped with a cryoprobe for solution samples, especially low-concentration samples such as biomolecular samples. This experimental setup focuses on the structure, dynamics, and interactions of biomolecules. The 600 MHz NMR spectrometer can be used for Quantum information and Quantum Computation.
The Greenhouse Facility features two climate-controlled environments, the greenhouse facilities are optimised for experimental research in evolutionary biology, ecology and climate change biology. These specialised spaces allow scientists to investigate complex biological interactions and environmental dynamics. By facilitating high-impact ecological experiments, the facility addresses critical questions about natural systems, helping researchers understand how diverse species respond to changing conditions and interact within their ecosystems.
*Please Note: A relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent will be given to candidates who belong to SC, ST, OBC (NCL), PwD, and EWS categories.
Faculty members are drawn from the best universities across the world and are a fine blend of academic expertise, combined with robust research credentials. Each year over 100 peer-reviewed publications published, combining rigorous scholarship and industry-linked expertise to guide PhD research across disciplines.
The pathway to becoming an able researcher seeks a blend of curiosity, critical thinking, perseverance, resilience and to top it all, a knack of handling uncertainty, and the Krea PhD scholars are all of these and more. They are driven with a singular aim to contribute to the welfare of humanity through academia, research, and industry.
Let’s help you take the first step into the Kreaverse. We encourage you to explore the various facets of the admissions process in-depth, and reach out to us in case of any queries. We are here to help.
