Polymer Research Center at IISER Kolkata
Bridging fundamental macromolecular chemistry with transformative healthcare and defense technologies.
The Synthetic Macromolecular Group is based in the Department of Chemistry and the Polymer Research Center at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata. IISER Kolkata was founded in 2006 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India, to integrate research with undergraduate education so that teaching and world-class discovery thrive in mutual symbiosis.
The Polymer Research Center was officially inaugurated on April 29, 2011 by Dr. S. Sivaram (former Director of CSIR-NCL Pune) in the presence of Prof. Sushanta Dattagupta, founding Director of IISER Kolkata. Since its inception, our group has cultivated an interdisciplinary research ecosystem training scholars across organic synthesis, precision polymerization, nanoscale self-assembly, bioconjugate chemistry, and sensor prototyping.
In March 2025, Prof. Raja Shunmugam was appointed Chair of the Centre for Advanced Functional Materials (CAFM) at IISER Kolkata, further strengthening our mandate to drive frontier translational materials research across India and the globe.
Holistic Training
Hands-on mastery of monomer design, living ROMP & ATRP kinetics, and advanced spectroscopy.
Translational Impact
National Award-winning inventions deployed for cancer theranostics, arsenic mitigation, and defense sensing.
Polymer Research Center Dedication (2011)
Inaugurated by Dr. S. Sivaram with founding Director Prof. Sushanta Dattagupta.
World-Class Research Infrastructure
Equipped with comprehensive synthesis, characterization, and analytical suites.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
500 MHz & 400 MHz multinuclear NMR
Gel Permeation Chromatography
GPC/SEC with multi-angle light scattering
Optical Spectroscopy
High-resolution UV-Vis & spectrofluorometers
Dynamic Light Scattering & AFM
DLS / Zeta potential & Atomic Force Microscopy
Controlled Polymerization Rig
Inert-atmosphere gloveboxes & Schlenk lines
Thermal Analysis Suite
TGA and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
Biomedical Assay Lab
Cell culture, fluorescence confocal tracking & MTT
Lyophilization & Purification
Industrial freeze-dryers & preparative flash systems