The Theme
Biology in the 21st century is being transformed from a purely lab-based science to an information science. At the beginning of the Genomic Revolution a bioinformatics concern was creation and maintenance of database to store biological information, such as nucleotide and amino acid sequences and interface are developed whereby researchers could both access existing data in banks as well as submit new or revised data. Ultimately, however, all of this information must be combined to form a comprehensive picture of normal cellular activities so that researcher may study how these activities are altered in different disease states. Therefore, the field of bioinformatics has evolved such that the most pressing task now involves the analysis and interpretation of various types of data.
Objectives
The need for bioinformatics capabilities has been precipitated by the explosion of publicly available genomic data resulting from the Human Genome Project. The science of Bioinformatics, which is the melding of molecular biology with computer science, is essential to the use of genomic information in understanding human diseases and in the identification of new molecular targets for drug discovery. In the factory of living cells proteins are workers performing variety of tasks. Each protein in cell adopts a particular folding that determines its function. The 3-D structure of protein built by Protein Modeling brings into close proximity of the amino acid residues that are far from each other in primary sequence. Why structure is important means, structure determines function and is more conserved than sequence. Various important phenomenon such as rational drug design, protein engineering, to establish bimolecular interactions, establishment of protein structure is highly essential. In recognition of this, many universities, government institutions and pharmaceutical firms have formed bioinformatics groups, consisting of computational biologists and bioinformaticians, computer scientists. There is a greater necessity to create a scientific platform for various categories of people of biological sciences to expose them to this emerging field of Bioinformatics with special reference to Drug design. The workshop provides an opportunity to have hands-on experience in dealing with tools of Bioinformatics, for the researchers and teachers in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology and other related fields.
Workshop Topics
Participants will be getting hands-on experience in the following fields along with lectures by experts from IICT, Bioinformatics centers, Anna University, Rajivgandhi Institute of Science and Technology, Bioinformatics industries. Most of the time participants are encouraged to perform on line working model exercises and mini projects.
Mini Project: Participants have to do an on line Mini Project during the workshop and have to submit the report for evaluation.
Material: All the participants will be provided with study material regarding the software used for the training on CDs individually so as to enable them to practice the same at their place of work. Further free software for Protein modeling and drug design available for academic users with restricted permissions will be provided for the registered participants. Additional interactive CDs in Biology (Bioinformatics, Human Genome Project, Biochemistry, Protein Purification, and Human body) are also available with the Workshop Director (www.bic-sku.org).
How and Who can apply: To provide hands-on experience to individual participants it is proposed to have only 20 registrations. As present workshop is aimed at practical training in Protein modeling and drug design, a basic knowledge in Bioinformatics and structural Biology of Proteins will be given preference. A brief resume along with a note as how the training will be useful for their research/teaching, should be sent to the Organizing Secretary by e-mail on or before 15.3.2008 with registration fee (Students and Research Scholars Rs.1000/-, Teaching personnel Rs.1500/- and industrial or project sponsored Rs.3000/-) by DD drawn in favor of “Head, Department of Biochemistry, S.K. University” payable at Andhra Bank, S.V. puram Branch. Drafts from other than Andhra Bank should add collection charges in addition. Participants have to make their own arrangements for their stay during workshop. However guest house/hotel/hostel accommodation will be made available on well advance request along with payment of Rs.500/- as advance.
Selection: Participants will be intimated about their selection through the e-mail only and if not responded preference will be given to wait listed candidates.
About the Department: Biochemistry department at Sri Krishnadevaraya University was established in 1985 with support from UGC, New Delhi and Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi (under FIST program) supported to create facilities to conduct modern research of Bioinformatics. Then it has grown to occupy a unique place among biochemistry departments of its kind in the southern part of the country, given its active involvement in research and in the creation of infrastructure in Molecular Biology with particular emphasis on Plant and Microbial. The SKU-Bioinformatics thus established has conducted 4 training workshops in this field. In addition SKU-BIC is offering training and project works for science and engineering students pursuing their PG courses.
Hardware: The department has a wide range of computer systems ranging from AMD-athlon-Dual processor-high end server, Linux server, video conference, desk top multimedia computers (P-III and P-IV) with dedicated internet service.
Networking: The department operates department wide local area network (LAN) comprising of thick/thin UTP cables and hub using bus/star topology. The department LAN operates Internet connectivities for the post graduate students and research scholars of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Botany, Sericulture and Zoology. University-LAN with dedicated ISDN line also supports the Internet facility through the department LAN.
Software: The department has assimilated a wide range of software related to Bioinformatics and maintains. Further the department distributes software that is freely available over the internet.
Local Organizing Committee
Chief Patron
Prof. Rama Rao Athota
Vice Chancellor
S.K. University
Prof. Y. Krishna Reddy
Registrar ,S.K. University
Prof. T. Pullaiah
Principal, S.K.U. College
Prof. K. Radhakrishnaiah
Dean of Life Sciences, S.K.U. College
Executive Committee
Head of the Departments and Faculty of
Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Sericulture
Convener
Prof. G.H. Philip
Organizing Secretary
Prof. Chitta Suresh Kumar
Address for correspondence
Dr. Chitta Suresh Kumar
Coordinator, Bioinformatics Centre
Dept. of Biochemistry
Sri Krishnadevaraya University
ANANTAPUR-515 003. AP.
National Workshop on
Bioinformatics Tools in Design & Optimization of Drug like Molecules
(26th to 28th March 2008)
Name :
Designation :
Qualification :
Address :
Basic knowledge of : Bioinformatics / Structural Biology
E-mail (must for correspondence)
Whether accommodation is required : Yes/No
If yes advance DD sent Rs. DD No.
Date: Signature
PS: Please send the registration form along with brief resume, DD by snail mail. Alternatively e-mail the registration form, Xerox of DD to chitta34c@gmail.com