Topic started by Biotech (@ w20-575-85.mit.edu) on Fri Nov 14 21:47:37 EST 2003.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

I've been hearing heard many people mention about this field especially in Biotech/Bioengineering disciplines. What exactly is this field about? Does it have future in india?

Responses:

• From: Hmm (@ 149.68.88.78) on: Fri Nov 14 22:33:16 EST 2003
  
  Bioinformatics marries computer number crunching to biology.Eg Physical gene sequencing is time consuming and tedious.But if a similar sequence has been published in a different species, a software can locate it for you.Hence a biology background with good computer skills will make an ideal bioinformatics candidate.Computer skills can be in programming with C++,database like SQL,ORACLE, or front ends like htmls, xml etc...
  
  Data mining is a key word.
  In India,bioinformatics can be a misnomer.A top class university has a professor doing clerical work as the head of the department of "Bioinformatics".It may become more relevant when the gene boom matches the net boom in India. For now, offshore seems to be the way to go.
  
  
• From: Raj (@ 206-97-63-112.ip.theriver.com) on: Fri Nov 14 22:45:06 EST 2003
  
  Visit:
  http://bioinformatics.org/faq/
  Education is never wasted. If you are computer oriented and have the skills to model biological processes or willing to acquire such skills, it is for you. Being there first has its advantages.
  Are you willing to take the plunge?
  
  
• From: Linus (@ 193.220.224.6) on: Fri Nov 21 13:14:18 EST 2003
  
  IIT Kanpur had just setup a bioinformatics department...with faculty from JHU(John Hopkins Univ) and the like.Just check out.
  
  

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