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Monday, January 30, 2012

BIO-INFORMATICS

  
         Bioinformatics or computational biology is the use of information technology in the field of molecular biology, or the application of computer technology to the management and analysis of biological data. Here computers are used to gather, store, analyze and merge biological data.
         It is an emerging interdisciplinary research area and is increasingly being used to improve the quality of life. The ultimate goal of bioinformatics is to uncover the wealth of biological information hidden in the mass of sequence, structure, literature and other biological data and obtain a clearer insight into the fundamental biology of organisms and to use this information to enhance the standard of life for mankind.

        It's importance is unlimited in the genomic era (genome is the complex molecular chains that constitute each organism’s unique genetic heritage). The hereditary information of an organism is encoded in the DNA. Genomics, the study of an organisms entire genome is developed to understand the basic molecule of life which is known as the code of life. DNA directly controls the biological makeup of humans or any living organism. Studying the structure of  DNA has made amazing success over many genetically transferring diseases. It is variations and errors in the genomic DNA which ultimately define the likelihood of developing diseases or resistance to the same disorders. 
         Bioinformatics could have profound impact in fields as varied as human health, agriculture, the environment, energy and biotechnology to advance biomedical research and development. It is being used now in the areas of molecular medicine to help produce better and more customized medicines to prevent or cure diseases, it has environmental benefits in identifying waste cleanup bacteria and in agriculture it can be used for producing high yield low maintenance crops. These are just a few of the many benefits bioinformatics can offer.

          The career prospects in the field has been steadily increasing with more and more use of information technology in the field of molecular biology. Job prospects are in all sectors of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, in research institutions, hospital and industry. Some of the specific career areas that fall within the scope of bioinformatics include Sequence assembly, Database design and maintenance, Sequence analysis, Proteomics (the study of protein, particularly their structures and functions), Pharmacogenomics, Pharma-cology, Clinical pharmacologist, Informatics developer, Computational chemist, Bio-analytics and Analytics etc. 

Eligibility & Method of selection

             A course in bioinformatics is suitable for those with a graduation or post-graduation in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, chemistry, pharmacy, veterinary sciences, physics, mathematics, and also engineers, IT professionals, PhDs and medicos. Programs at different levels are available in the field such as B.Tech, Master Degree, Advanced Diploma and M.Tech. Study of Bioinformatics begins at the undergraduate level. The basic educational qualification to enter a program in Bioinformatics is 10+2 completed with science as the subject. The details of the educational qualification for different courses in this field are listed listed below. 

Name of the Course
Educational Qualification Required
B.Tech in Bioinformatics
Candidate should complete 10+2 with physics, chemistry, biology and English
Master's Degree in
Bioinformatics
Candidate should complete their graduation in any of the following subjects  such as B.Sc / B.Sc (Agriculture)/ BCS / BE / B.Tech / MBBS /B Pharm / BAMS / BHMS / BVSc.
Advanced
Diploma in Bioinformatics
Candidates having a post graduation in any of the following subjects such as M.Sc in Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Biophysics, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Computer Science or Equivalent), M.Sc (Agriculture) or M.Tech or MBBS are eligible for the Advanced Diploma Course.
M.Tech in
Bioinformatics (Engineering)

Pharmacy graduate, medical, dental and veterinary science graduates as well as postgraduates in science are eligible for the admission to M.Tech

Job Prospects


           The career prospects in Bioinformatics has been steadily increasing with more and more use of information technology in the field of molecular biology. Job prospects are in all sectors of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, in research institutions, hospital and industry.
           Some of the specific career areas that fall within the scope of bioinformatics include Sequence assembly, Database design and maintenance, Sequence analysis, Proteomics (study of protein, particularly their structures and functions), Pharmacogenomics, Pharma-cology, Clinical pharmacologist, Informatics developer; Computational chemist, Bio-analytics and Analytics etc.

            The work involved in the specific career areas are Drug design utilising 3-D structure modelling and computational chemistry (Cheminformatics), Comparing genetic data between and within species (Genomics), Genomic analysis in an attempt to find drug targets (Pharmacogenomics), Characterisation of proteins and their interactions (Proteomics), Prediction of the function of genes and proteins based on sequence and structural data etc.
             One can find work in Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies where bioinformatics technologies are applied throughout the drug discovery process. One can also take up teaching jobs in public institutions if you have a skill in teaching. Indian companies like Satyam, Wipro, TCS, Reliance etc and companies such as Silicon Genetics, Accelrys and IBM Life Sciences Pubgene, Tessella are recruiting bioinformatics candidates, because it has made a substantial new market for IT infrastructure.
Remuneration

A postgraduate joining a private sector pharmaceutical company can expect to get a salary in the range or Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month. Those employed in government research can start on Rs. 9,000 along with government allowances
Institutes
  1. Calcutta University, Kolkata
  2. Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore
  3. Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad
  4. Jamia Millia Ismalia University, New Delhi
  5. Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
  6. Pondicherry University, Puducherry
  7. SRM University, Chennai
  8. University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
  9. Universtiy of Pune, Pune
Institute Name
:
Calcutta University, Kolkata
Address
:
Senate House, 87 /1 College Street, Kolkata-700 073
Phone
:
033 2241 0071
E-mail
:
Website
:
Courses
:
M.Sc Bio-informatics & BioPhysicsEligibility : Honours Graduates of University of Calcutta and from first class Honours Graduates of other Indian University of the (10 +2+3) pattern in Science.
Duration : 2 years

Institute Name
:
Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore.
Address
:
G-05, Tech Park Mall,International Technology Park Bangalore (ITPB),Whitefield Road, Bangalore-560 066.
Phone
:
91 (80) 2841 0029, 2841 2769, 2841 6034, Fax - 91 (80) 2841 2761
E-mail
:

Website
:
Courses
:
Postgraduate course in Bioinformatics
Postgraduate laboratory course in Bio-Techniques.
Eligibility: Anybody with a recognised bachelor's or master's degree in any branch of science, agriculture, pharmacy, engineering or medicine with a minimum of 55% marks.
Admission : An all-India nation-wide entrance test is conducted by IBAB and short-listed students are called for an interview. The test will be of 120 minutes' duration. and syllabus is based on the XII Std (ICSE/CBSE) science syllabus.  



Institute Name
:
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad
Address
:
Deoghat, Jhalwa Campus, Allahabad - 211011 
Phone
:
91-532-2552380 
E-mail
:

Website
:
Courses
:
M.Tech in Bioinformatics
Eligibility : Candidates having B.E/ B.Tech/ M.Sc/ B.Pharm. Degrees in any Engineering & Science discipline followed by a GATE score in respective disciplines
Duration : 4 semester
Admission : Only GATE (except MBBS, sponsored & NRI) qualified candidates are eligible to apply



Institute Name
:
Jamia Millia Ismalia University, New Delhi.
Address
:
Department of computer Science, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi -110025
Phone
:
011-26980014, 26981717, EPABX: +91(11) 26981717 
E-mail
:

Website
:
Courses
:
M.Sc BioinformaticsEligibility : Graduates of the (10 +2+3) pattern in Science.
Duration : 2 years
Syllabus: It covers knowledge of mathematics (Xth class CBSE syllabus) and molecular biology, Nutrition and metabolism, Biomolecules, Enzymes, Genes, General English, Computer awareness and general knowledge


Institute Name
:
Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
Address
:
School of Biotechnology, Madurai, Tamil nadu.
Phone
:
0452 - 2459166, 0452 - 2459455.
E-mail
:

Website
:
Courses
:
Advanced Diploma in BioinformaticsEligibility: M.Sc. in any branch of Biological Sciences



Institute Name
:
Pondicherry University, Puducherry
Address
:
Bioinformatics Centre, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry - 605 014
Phone
:
0413 - 2655212, 2655211
Fax
:
0413 - 2655211
E-mail
:

Website
:
Courses
:
Advanced Post Graduate Diploma in Bioinformatics
Eligibility: M.Sc. in any branch of Biological Sciences such as Biochemistry, Biophysics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Botany, Zoology, MBBS with first class.
Duration : 1 year
Admission:  Through All India Entrance Test and Interview.
Ph.D. Bioinformatics

  



Institute Name
:
SRM University, Chennai
Address
:
3, Veeraswamy Street, West Mambalam, Chennai - 600 033
Phone
:
044-24742836, 24747231, 24892621, 24893688 
Fax
:
044-24748925 
E-mail
:

Website
:
Courses
:
B.Tech Bio Informatics
Eligibility : HSC / Equivalent
Duration : 4 years in 8 Semesters
B Sc in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Eligibility: +2 or its equivalent
M Sc in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Eligibility: B Sc in any Life science discipline, B Pharm, Medicine
Post-graduate diploma in Bioinformatics
Eligibility: Background in life sciences/ Computer science



Institute Name
:
University of Hyderabad
Address
:
Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh
Phone
:
91-40-3010500, 23010121, 23010245
E-mail
:

Website
:
Courses
:
Advanced PG Diploma in Bioinformatics 
Eligibiltiy : Second class M.Sc. with a minimum of 55% marks in Biological, Agricultural or Physical Sciences, in addition to some computer application course OR a second class with a minimum of 55% in computer sciences with a sound background of modern biology.
Duration : 1 year
Selection : By a National Entrance Test for which the question paper consists of 100 objective type questions in biology, chemistry and basic computer sciences
M.Tech in bioinformaticsAdmission: Trough Entrance Examination consist objective type questions from Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science

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