BTISnet Coordinators' Meeting Organized at SMVDU

XXIII Annual Bioinformatics Coordinator’s Meeting was held at Matrika Auditorium, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra on Feb 3rd – 4th, 2012 with the focal theme: Bioinformatics in 21st Century – looking ahead. The meeting was addressed to collect the progress made under the Biotechnology Information System Network in India (BTISNet- India). The Inaugural programme was held on Feb 3rd, 2012 chaired by Prof. R.N.K Bamezai, Vice- Chancellor, SMVDU and presided by Prof. M. Vijayan, Chairman, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology and Systems Biology Task Force, DBT, Dr. T. Madhan Mohan, Adviser DBT and Prof. A. S. Kolaskar, Vice Chancellor, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. The meeting was jointly organized by the Bioinformatics Coordinators from J&K Prof. V. Verma, Dean, College of Sciences & Director, School of Biotechnology, SMVDU, Katra and Prof. Manoj K. Dhar, HOD, School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu.

The welcome address detailing the developments in the BIF Centre at School of Biotechnology, SMVDU was presented by Prof. V. Verma. Dr. T. Madhan Mohan, briefed the august gathering about the vibrant network and the progress of BTISNet all over the country with regard to capacity building, infrastructural development, Human Resource training and research activities. He proposed for the integration of Bioinformatics activities with experimentalists all over the country in the forth coming 12th Plan. He appreciated the work performed by the centers in terms of research publications and presentations in conferences. Prof. Kolaskar, detailed the efforts taken by BTISNet under the funding of DBT and applauded the contribution of the BTISNet Centers of Excellence, Distributed Informatics Centers, Sub- Distributed Informatics Centers and Bioinformatics Facilities Centers all over the country. He launched the Reengineered BTISNet Website on the occasion.

Prof. R.N.K Bamezai, inaugurated the Wesbite on Micro-RNA prepared under the joint collaboration of School of Biotechnology, SMVDU, Katra and National Centre for Human Genetics, JNU, Delhi. The website has been designed by a Research scholar Mr. Kalai under the guidance of Prof. Bamezai, detailing the genes and functions of 1825 proteins for target predication for Micro-RNA and Mitochondrial genome. The presidential address was delivered by Prof. Vijayan who pointed out that Indian Science would flourish with less bureaucracy and hierarchy as well as liberalization and participation. The meeting was attended by DBT members Task Force members Dr. Vijayan, Prof. Kolaskar , Prof. M.R. N. Murthy, Prof. Indira Ghosh, Dr. Pinakpani Chakrabarti, Dr. K. Sekar, Dr. Debasish Mohanty, specials invites, officials from DBT. A total of 200 Coordinators and Co-coordinators from all parts of the country attended the meeting hosted by Prof. V. Verma, BIF Coordinator organized at SMVDU, Katra. The various coordinators presented the progress made by their centers in five technical sessions. A colorful cultural evening hosted by Natrang Team from Jammu lightened the modes of the participants. The Vote of thanks on the occasion was presented by Prof. Manoj Dhar.

Two technical Sessions were held on 4th February 2012 where in 13 Coordinators of various BIF centers presented their reports. A panel discussion chaired by Prof. Bamezai, Prof. Vijayan, Dr. Madhan Mohan accompanied by Prof. Verma and Prof. Manoj Dhar was held to address the constraints and problems faced by some of the Coordinators present. The recommendations and action plan prepared by the Chairpersons and DBT officials present were shared by Dr. Madhan Mohan who praised the excellent arrangements made for the successful conduct of the National Meeting at Jammu and Katra. The salient recommendations made included: Network connectivity of various centers through the National Knowledge Network system which was already BTISNet operational in Central Universities and DBT sponsored Institutions would be extended to all the centers; resource sharing and setting up of a National Bioinformatics Society should be finalized during the forthcoming 12th Plan period; provisions have been initiated for enhancement of funds for the centers keeping in mind the changes made in the 6th Pay Commission; incorporation of Mission-mode projects in order to keep pace with the competitive world of science and the incorporation of novel Algorithms for Bioinformaticians in the country. All the participants appreciated the efforts taken by the organizers Prof. Verma and Prof. Manoj Dhar in making their stay fruitful & comfortable and successful completion of the meeting.