About The Department

Introduction:

Physiology is a core branch of the basic medical sciences that explains the nature and mechanisms of life. It provides the conceptual framework for understanding normal bodily functions and their regulation, ranging from molecular and subcellular processes to the integrated functioning of the whole organism. By elucidating how cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems interact to maintain homeostasis, physiology forms the foundation upon which clinical medicine is built. A sound knowledge of physiology is therefore essential for understanding health, disease, and rational therapeutic interventions.

The Department of Physiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur was established in the year 2018. Since its inception, the department has been actively involved in delivering high-quality teaching, research, and patient care services in accordance with the vision and mandate of AIIMS. The department offers comprehensive academic training to undergraduate students, including MBBS, B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing, and various Paramedical courses. At the postgraduate level, it conducts Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Physiology, Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Physiology, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs. In addition, faculty members contribute as visiting faculty for the M.Tech (Engineering to Applied Medical Sciences) program at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur. The department has also initiated a Post Doctoral Certificate Course in Lifestyle Medicine (PDCC in LM), reflecting its commitment to emerging and preventive domains of healthcare.

All academic programs are meticulously designed and executed to emphasize both basic and applied aspects of physiology, with a strong orientation toward clinical relevance. Innovative teaching–learning methods, integration with clinical subjects, and competency-based education are integral components of the curriculum, aimed at developing scientifically grounded and clinically competent healthcare professionals. 

Scope of services:

• Teaching: To equip the students with knowledge and understanding of normal body functions and to foster the development of professional skills through well designed curriculum; based on experiments, training and research.

OPD services

• Lifestyle Intervention Clinic: Prescription of interventions based on six pillars (Nutrition, Exercise, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections) of Lifestyle Medicine.
• Autonomic function Lab: AFT and vascular function tests, Head-up tilt test, HRV, CPT, Valsalva test
• Andrological Investigations: Routine Semen Analysis (RSA), Sperm function testing, Sperm preparation for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
• Neurophysiological Investigations: EEG, Evoked Potential, Nerve Conduction studies, EMG, VEP, BERA
• Cognitive Function Testing - Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNRIS).
• Pulmonary Function testing: Spirometry, Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT)

Research:

• Evidence based research in lifestyle intervention for various diseases.
• Vascular & Autonomic Function Lab: Study of Baroreceptor sensitivity in health and disease
• Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab: Functional near infra-red spectroscopy, Quantitative EEG, Eye tracking, Cognitive task-based training and rehabilitation, biofeedback
• Biomedical devices development lab: developing new AI based devices that can aid in early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease. Also developing new teaching aids for students to understand physiology

Courses offered:-

• MBBS, MD (Physiology)

• M.Sc. (Physiology)

• PhD (Physiology)

• Paramedical courses.