What is Bioinformatics?
Just a few short years ago, most of us knew very little about our genes and their impact on our lives. Advances in molecular biology and technology have allowed the increasingly rapid sequencing of large portions of the genomes of several species. The human genome sequencing project generated data and this deluge of information necessitated the careful storage, organization and indexing of sequence information. This has led to the integration of biology and informatics, which is the creation, development, and operation of databases and other computing tools to collect, organize, and interpret data, thus leading to the recognition & strengthening of Bioinformatics. Sequence annotation with the ever increasing complex biological information, necessitated creation of a variety of databases. Better understanding of networks and information propagation was only possible using various computational engines.
What is the M.Tech. (Bioinformatics) program about?
The program provides competence in computational biology/bioinformatics by providing training in the areas of molecular biology, information technology, statistics and bioinformatics. Lectures, seminars and hands-on projects, both in-house and during industry or academic internships, form part of the learning process at NU. Overall, the pedagogy is not the usual-consumption mode, but a rich interaction of active and inquisitive minds that can test established theories and derive fresh creative solutions to real life problems through innovative ideas.
Molecular biology techniques which include PCR amplification, gene cloning, DNA sequencing and protein purification & chromatography etc. along with the theoretical inputs that are required to meaningfully design and conduct experiments are integral to the NU curriculum. The major thrust is towards the integration of the theoretical knowledge with the hands-on practical experience. This kind of integrated approach is available at only a few bioinformatics centers in the country.
Whom is M.Tech. (Bioinformatics) program for?
Bioinformatics Program will provide professional expertise in the areas of Biotechnology, and Information Technology. This two years post graduate program of 74 credits has been designed specifically to meet the ever increasing industrial demand for Bioinformatics professionals with an industry-linked education. This post-graduate program is meant for graduates in biology & also for graduates with diverse backgrounds in computer sciences and information technology as well as industrial workers, entrepreneurs and scientific personnel engaged in teaching and research.
Key benefits to organizations having M.Tech. (Bioinformatics) degree holders
Bioinformatics has a key role to play in the cutting edge R & D areas of genomics, proteomics, protein engineering, metabolic pathway engineering, Pharmacogenomics, discovery of new drugs and vaccines, molecular diagnostic kits, Agro-biotechnology etc. This program gives an opportunity to sponsoring organization to expose their employees to various molecular biology techniques which include PCR amplification, gene cloning, DNA sequencing and protein purification & structure etc. as also software packages related to sequence analysis, modeling of biological structures and studying intermolecular interactions, structure activity relations etc. This opens the possibility of growth within the organization.
Key benefits to professionals with M.Tech. (Bioinformatics)
M.Tech. (BI) of NU provides a 360O exposure and competence in computational biology/bioinformatics by providing training in the areas of molecular biology, information technology, statistics, bioinformatics and modeling through integration of the theoretical knowledge with the hands-on practical experience. The program therefore provides hands on expertise in the essential multi-disciplinary fields of genomics, proteomics, protein engineering, metabolic pathway engineering, Pharmacogenomics, discovery of new drugs and vaccines, molecular diagnostic kits, Agro-biotechnology that comprise the core of Bioinformatics. The program also focuses on sequence analyses, pattern recognition, microarray data, parallel computing, application of bioinformatics to drug design and discovery, database creation and management, data warehousing & mining and modeling of metabolic pathways, cheminformatics, and phylogenetic analysis, metabolic pathways, biodiversity etc.