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SIG on Bioinformatics

1.0 Introduction
Bioinformatics is one of the frontier and interdisciplinary area of research and development which has created interest among scientists of various disciplines like computer science, information technology, mathematics, statistics biotechnology and medical sciences. It involves applications of IT, Computer Science, and Mathematics etc. in Biological Sciences to describe, analyze, simulate and predict the dynamics of various biological processes. The ultimate goal of bioinformatics is to enable the discovery of new biological insights as well as to create a global perspective from which unifying principles in biology can be discerned. It creates new opportunities for Biomedical Scientists and Biotechnologists to use IT tools for design of new biotech products like drugs etc. to meet the new challenges in the area of biological sciences. Also it creates new opportunities for computer scientists and IT professionals for application of their skills and techniques in Biological sciences / Biotechnology / Medical sciences. There is an acute shortage of bioinformatics professionals and molecular modeling experts. There is a huge demand of bioinformatics experts in world market and the companies in business of development of drugs, agriculture, chemicals hybrid plants, plastics and information technology are developing bioinformatics divisions, looking forward to provide new avenues and research output. The massive amounts of data are being piled up as a result of biological experiments being carried out all over the world. This data is lying in published and unpublished form in various research and development organizations. This data consist of gold mine of information and knowledge. Therefore there is a need to develop online databases by collecting and organizing this available data and develop bioinformatics tools for analysis of this data, so that various user communities can access it for research and development purposes. This requires research on biological databases development, intelligent new algorithms for fast retrieval, analysis of data, data management and applications. Thus there is a need to promote research on interdisciplinary areas like data mining, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition and their applications in intelligent analysis of biological data. The time has come where the biologists and medical scientists are learning engineering, mathematics, computer science, information technology etc and at the same time people from disciplines like engineering, computer science, mathematics and information technology are learning biology. Bioinformatics and computational biology has been declared as an thrust area by various research and development agencies all over the world. Also new courses are launched in this area by various institute all over the world. One of the problems that most of the countries of the world are facing is lack of trained man power in this area. Therefore there is a need to create a platform to address the above issues of knowledge and expertise in the area of bioinformaticsThe special interest group on bioinformatics will be of great international interest as it will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, expertise, resources, facilities and equipment, research and training  etc. 
In view of above, a special interest group on bioinformatics is proposed to be setup under Computer Society of India  for promotion, growth and prosperity of bioinformatics and its related areas in India.

2.0Aims
Create & promote Inter disciplinary research groups with  focus on bioinformatics.
Create expertise pool of scientists , R&D professionals experts on National level in various bioinformatics domains and establish and strengthen the link between academia, R&D, companies, institutions government organization and professionals etc for best utilization of resources
To develop and enhance excellence through new educational training programs, technology dissemination, promoting research and development in various areas of bioinformatics  among faculty members, professionals and students.
Develop support in teaching and learning process .Serve as a platform for transfer and dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge and information in bioinformatics related sciences and technology to professionals, faculty, students and organizations.
Organize various need based faculty training programs, workshops,conferences and brain storming meetings
To create and promote expert groups  for development of biological databases ,bioinformatics softwares and applications for development of diagnostics and therapeutics
To encourage younger generation of students /researchers to join this emerging area.
Recognition of successful initiatives by government ,NGOs ,institutions and individuals for promotion growth and prosperity of bioinformatics by instituting national awards for research and development and other activities in the areas of bioinformatics
 

3.0 SCOPE
SIG will serve as platform to create expertise and pool of scientists in various areas of bioinformatics from institutions all over the world and encourage sharing of knowledge and resources like biotech infrastructure ,grid computing infrastructure ,data ,softwares and other electronic resources .This information will be provided online for use by various user communities.

To develop and enhance excellence through new educational training programs in various areas of bioinformatics which can be delivered in the institution across the world through standalone and virtual programs.

It will serve as forum for developing teaching & learning process in different disciplines with central focus to improve understanding and R & D on various aspects of bioinformatics and to provide information and other resources to professionals, faculty & students for promotion of bioinformatics activities.

To provide a forum for dissemination of Scientific and technological knowledge in the field of bioinformatics by organizing seminars, conferences, need based faculty training programs developing databases and web sites.

To provide support for research & development and establish linkages with biotech, pharmaceutical and IT industry and provide a platform for interaction among scientists from various disciplines like IT, computer science, mathematics, life sciences, agricultural sciences and medical sciences to promote and encourage the collaborations among scientists to create inter disciplinary groups for research and development of biological databases, bioinformatics softwares and applications in areas of health, energy and agriculture

Encourage innovations in the areas of bioinformatics.

The SIG will focus on issues of technical   expertise and knowledge, coordination of bioinformatics activities among various disciplines.
 
National Bioinformatics Award committee to be constituted to process international nomination for young scientist and senior scientist.
Special attention to be given for bioinformatics activities by young scientists.
Development of policies, frameworks and protocols for development of databases, softwares and applications in the areas of bioinformatics.
The SIG intends to become  workgroup in near future

4.0 Products,services and activities
Ensure sharing of research practices and knowledge in the areas of bioinformatics through conferences and seminars .
Develop white papers on focused areas of bioinformatics
Undertake research to develop relevant policies , framework for development and evaluation of bioinformatics activities and their impact on society .
Conduct workshops ,training programs ,seminars in different countries particularly developing countries to encourage bioinformatics projects and other activities.
Creation of electronic resources like online databases ,softwares and online computing resources like grid computing etc. for sharing with the national community .

5.0 Main membership
Research and Academic Institutions,
Government departments involved in biotech,IT and bioinformatics  projects,
NGOs,
Citizens Groups,
Computer Society members and other Societies on IT, Biotechnology, Physical Sciences etc.
Bioinformatics ,IT services firms
Bioinformatics ,Biotechnology ,Pharmaceutical Agriculture and IT companies  etc.
The Core group of Renowned  professionals who have accepted to be member of SIG on Bioinformatics from India are given below.

The SIG will be spear headed by Dr. K.R.Pardasani  Professor & Head Mathematics and Computer Applications Department,  Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology  ,Bhopal , India. Dr Neeru Adlakha, Associate Professor, SVNIT, Surat will work as secretary of SIG.

Proposal Work Plan
1. A Brain storming meeting on bioinformatics at national level will be conducted in India during  May June 2010
2. Sessions  and meeting of SIG are planned to be conducted during CSI Convention 2010 in India.
3 National Training programs on various aspects of bioinformatics will be conducted in India  every   year . At least one training program will be conducted in Bhopal every year.