The thrust area for research in department is said to be "molecular therapeutics for infectious and neurodegenerative diseases". The department is active in cutting-edge areas of research and has the infrastructure to support the same. The research labs include a facility for HIV culture, neuronal and neuroglial culture and stem cell culture. The infrastructure in the bioinformatics labs is supported by the DBT. Additionally, students have the advantage of existing access to other research facilities in the same city such as the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics for teaching and project works.

Selection for MSc biotechnology is based on Common Entrance Examination in Biotechnology (CEEB) conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru University. Admission to the Mtech bioinformatics is based on a GATE score, whereas admission to the rest is decided through other entrance examinations and an interview. The PhD program in biotechnology is highly competitive, with the department receiving a very large number of applications against the seats available. All the faculty members hold PhDs from reputed institutes.

In the span of one year alone from 2011-12, the department has published 115 research articles in international journals. It has also applied for three patents since 2008. The School of Life Sciences has 36 laboratories dedicated to biotech students.