Career in Bioinformatics

(insight in to the IT Companies)

K.P.Mishra (Director, URC Allahabad ) Brijesh Singh Yadav (Senior Research Associate &Head Bioinformatics Research)
United Research Center, UIT Campus Allahabad, E-mail: brijeshbioinfo@gmail.com

What is Bioinformatics?
Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology and statistics to the management of biological information. In the past decade bioinformatics has become an integral component of research and development in biological sciences. The need for bioinformatics stems from a fundamental change that is taking place in biology.

Bioinformatics Is a Merging of Disciplines

Core of Bioinformatics
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sequence

3D structure

protein functions

Properties and evolution of genes, genomes, proteins, metabolic pathways in cells Use of this knowledge for prediction, modelling, and design

Need of bioinformatics
Data growth is exponential Difficult to understand life without BI Detection of new diseases BI tools allow to save expr. Expend. Rational Drug design Computer-aided vaccine design

Need of bioinformatics

Need of bioinformatics cont

Handle the growth of information. Knowledge discovery. Globalizing the research. Data visualizatio n.

Need of bioinformatics cont

BIOINFORMATICS DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA

Department of Biotechnology created in 1986 Bioinformatics programme started ever since Biotechnology Information System Network (BTISnet) in 1987. BTISnet today has 65 institutions and universities. Emphasis on infrastructure creation and human resource development. Biotechnology in India has greatly benefited from the capacity building in Bioinformatics Dedicated virtual private network connecting the major centres sharing of data as well as computing resources.

Bioinformatics Facilities in India

Educational Activities of India in Bioinformatics

Two forms of initiatives are in operational
Short-Term Training Long-Term Training
Two forms of initiatives are in operational Advanced Diploma Nationwide trainings and workshops Courses in five universities Presently around 100 organised per year in M.Sc., M.Tech., Ph.D. seven defined areas courses in Bioinformatics More than 10000 trained so far

Integration of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology

Collaborative effort RFP (Request for Proposals) in following areas: Parasitic diseases Agro-biotech Herbal medicine BioPhara Development Clinical Data management

In-house software development

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. GeneScan, GenEvolve, PROCOR JNU, Delhi IGIB, Delhi PLHOST IMTECH, Chandigarh APSSP (Protein structure Devi Ahilya prediction), MHCBN University PCR: s/w for setting PCR reactions Bose Institute, LOOPSEARCH, CONFPLOT Kolkatta VirGen, CE, AVIS University of Pune, Micro array analysis (Avadis), Pune Genome annotation (Acuris), Strand Genomics, Oligonucleotide probe design Bangalore (Sarani) TCS, Hyderabad BioSuite These efforts needs to be strengthened with
Human resource development

8.

Bioinformatics Market
Global Bio-Informatics Market 1.2bn In 2004 Overall Market Size Projected to reach USD 1.7 bn by 2006 Indian Bioinformatics Market has touched USD22 Million in 2004 Indian Bioinformatics is growing at the rate of 40% per annum (Source: CII)

Market share of different Segments of Bioinformatics

Genomic Proteomics Chemoinformatics Pharmacogenomics 50%
20% 19%

15%

Advantages for India

Strong IT capabilities HH BIO R & D strength in Modern biology Highly trained manpower in biotechnology and Bioinformatics Rich Biodiversity Diverse ethnic population Strong Biotechnology Infrastructure Wide Networking of Institutions and Scientists. Industrial enterprise.

The Role of IT in Bioinformatics

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Electronic Data Capture Data Mining Data Warehousing Data Visualization Customized Software

Indian IT Companies
Indian IT companies such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant Technologies, Infosys, Wipro, and Satyam have already set up their bioinformatics divisions.
TCS, for instance, is entering the bio-informatics market with its indigenously developed computing platforms and applications within this year. The company is nurturing a 40-member team that is working on developing bioinformatics software solutions.

Cont..

Indian IT Companies

A database application, specially created for the bioinformatics segment is in the pipeline. TCS is also looking at developing bio-informatics software applications in collaboration with biotech and pharma companies. Satyam's Center of Excellence has identified Data warehousing and Datamining as a key initiative area in the field of bio-informatics since the field is an emerging domain where data warehousing and datamining techniques and concepts are used extensively for deciphering complex patterns and to correlate and analyze the vast volumes of data generated.

Indian Pharma Companies

Pharmaceutical companies too, are making moves into the bioinformatics arena. GVK Biosciences, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Biocon, Astra Zeneca, Ranbaxy, Biological E, and Nicholas Piramal are some of the names that have either opted for the joint venture route or have tied up with start-up companies.

people required by a Industries

Computer Programmer, who develop software tool and application for biotechnology and life science Understand: A good Programmer companies. Basic Molecular having knowledge of
HTML, XML SAS-CGI CGI between web and database Build HTML page to interface Know DNA analysis programs
Biology How a network works How databases are structured

People required by a Industries cont..

People with a background in life sciences who are the end user of such programs and packages and they use these tools to translate the information into tangible products such as new molecules, drugs, enzymes etc. They can conduct their R&D program more effectively if they are cross-trained in computing skills. They can also be business analysts for life science companies.

Skills needed for the Desing of Experiments Using Bioinformatics

Advanced algorithm s Data Structures 8% General Com puter Sciences 7% System s Adm inistration/Netw orking 2% Softw are Engineering 3%

Artificial Intelligence 3%

Biochem istry 10% Biophysics 6%

Structural Biology 7%

Com putational Chem istry 6% Mathem atics 6%

Genetics 11%

Statistics 12% Evolution 7%

Molecular Biology 12%

What Is a Bioinformatics Company Like? Consists of Biologists, Computer Scientists,

Mathematicians and Marketing people. Bioinformatics companies should expect revenues in a few million dollars only. Only those companies who are able to adapt and innovate will survive. A great deal of competition exists in the field. For any new company offering bioinformatics services or products, proof of concept, will be essential. This means that a nascent company will need to demonstrate its ability before getting business.

Areas of opportunity in India

Bioinformatics Vaccines, dignostics and therapeutics Biomedical devices, instruments and sensors Bioartificial organs using tissue engineering and stem cells Clinical trial and contract research Agriculuture disease and pest resistant, drought and salinity tolerant seeds and plants Biofertilisers and Biopesticides

Carrier opportunity available in bioinformatics

Life Science: Scientific Curator, Gene Analyst, Phylogenitist, Protein Analyst, Research Scientist/Associates Computer Science: Database Programmer,Bio-informatics Software Developer,Nerwork Administrator/Analyst Pharamacuitical Science: Chemoinformatician, Pharmacogenetician, Pharmacogenomics, Research

Job opportunities in Bioinformatics

Qualification
Post graduates and ,Doctorates Bachelor degrees / 3 year diploma holders 3) Degree with one year course in computers

Experience
Formal Training and understanding market requirement of Bioinformatics Sound knowledge in Molecular Biology and programming Good typing speed, Knowledge in molecular Biology and computer application

Job Title
Group leaders / Sr. Executives / Scientists/ Faculties System Analyst Technical Asst./ Programmer /

COs / DEOs

Major Research Areas in Bioinformatics

Gene Analysis
Research Activities [%]

Prot. Struc. Pred. Prot Design & Folding Macr. Modelling Evol. Biol. Struc-Func Studies Mech. of Dis. Data Mining Stud

Business Opportunities in BI
Software development Web servers development Train manpower in Field of BI Database management Rational Drug design Develop Diagnostic kits Assist user in Vaccine development Consultant to Biotech Companies

Outsourcing Model in Technology Businesses

Outsourcing has developed as an important concept in today's business. 1) Focus on core strength - the opportunity cost of adding a new segment of services to an existing business is high. Companies prefer to not diverge from their focus on their core competencies, and stay competitive.

Outsourcing cont.
3) Leverage top talents from the bioinformatics

companies companies can make use of the best resources engaged in IT services without having to worry about recruiting, training and retaining professionals 4) Minimize on total cost of ownership the rate of obsolescence is very high in the IT sector. Companies who outsource do not have to bear the replacement costs that accompany obsolescence.

Outsourcing cont.
5) Improve service delivery to customers the company can dictate to the outsourcing partner the timelines it is required to meet. 6) Reduce cost and time the time spent otherwise on planning and development is saved and better utilized to managing the existing resources. 7) Expand service portfolio companies can extend their services without having to invest on building in house capabilities

Outsourcing
Inspite of a tremendous increase in demand, the US educational stream has not significantly increased the production of scientific workforce. As a result cost of research has gone higher. Many companies are realizing that they can get their research done abroad, at cheaper cost, without any compromise in quality. In clinical trials for example, GSK (Glaxo smith Kline) has announced that it will shift 30% of its clinical trials to

The Ultimate Goals of Bioinformatics is to:

Im ple m e nt Laboratory Inform ation Manage m e nt Sys te m s 14% De s ign e xpe rim e nts us ing bioinform atics 9% Provide training and as s is tance in the us e of bioinform atics s oftw are tools 10%

Cre ate & m aintain laboratory re s e arch databas e s 12%

Us e e xis ting s oftw are for bioinform atics analys e s 10%

Im ple m e nt w e b-inte rface s for bioinform atics applications /data bas e s 12%

Re s e arch ne w De ve lop s oftw are for te chnologie s (algorithm s , bioinform atics applications principle s , m ode ls , 12% databas e s ) to as ce rtain the ir pote ntial for bioinform atic analys is 11%

Dis cove r ne w ins ights or hypothe s e s in m ole cular ge ne tics or e volutionary proce s s e s 10%

Bioinformatics Jobs search engines

Medzilla(Biotech,Medical,etc job listings) BioSpace (job listings) BioView (job listings) Bio online Carrier Center Symbios Career Service (Biotech,MedDevice,Pharm ) Genomics ,Bioinformatics and Biocomputing Jumping pills Biotech jobs NEE-HOW Bioresource Finder jobs JobsScience http://www.bhrc.ca/