Hyderabad|India|December'2011: The University of Hyderabad has signed an MoU with GVK Bio-Sciences, Hyderabad for jointly offering a Post Graduate Diploma in Bio-Informatics, through distance mode which is a one-year programme. The brochure of the programme was released by Prof. Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, VC, UoH in the presence of Dr. Sarma ARP Jagarlapudi, Sr. Vice-President of GVK Bio, Prof. S. Jeelani, Director, UoH Centre for Distance and Virtual Learning and Dr. Rambabu Gundla, Principal Scientist, Informatics of GVK Bio.

Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology, mathematics, and information theory for the management of biological information. Recent biotechnological advances in genomic sequencing, micro arrays and proteomics have contributed enormously to the bioinformatics boom. Computer scientist, statisticians, mathematicians and computational biologists have developed many bioinformatics algorithms and tools that became an integral part of life sciences research. It has now become very important for today’s researcher to acquire knowledge of available bioinformatics tools and understand the fundamental concepts behind the tools for applying them to solve research problems.

This course will facilitate students gain familiarity in basic concepts of bioinformatics with focus on identifying, obtaining, establishing, maintaining and exchanging research information in biology. It will impart knowledge to students on sequence analysis, sequence evolution (phylogenetics), genomic analysis and functional genomics with equal emphasis on protein structure, folding and prediction with extensive use of molecular graphics. The major scientific databases needed to solve research problems in biology will be reviewed in the course. Students will also gain insight into the most emerging area of microarray and proteomic technology which are used for analyzing the expression of genetic information with ultimate focus on systems biology which is the core area in today’s drug discovery research and development.

The eligibility for the course is minimum of 60% aggregate marks in Bachelor degree in Sciences (B.Sc.) or minimum of 55% aggregate marks in Masters degree in sciences (M.Sc.), Bachelor degree (Honors), B.Tech., B. Pharmacy, B.Sc.(Ag), B.V.Sc., B.D.S., M.B.B.S. or an equivalent degree in Indian systems of Medicine. The course fee is Rs. 20,000/- per semester and the course is being offered in two semesters. The selected students will be given study material both in soft copy and hard copy and there will be 10 – 15 days of rigorous training per semester in the research labs of University of Hyderabad and GVK Biosicences.

Last date for submission of applications is 31/01/2012. For admission details, contact: Centre for Distance and Virtual Learning, University of Hyderabad, Golden Threshold Building, Nampally Station Road, Abids 500 001.

-Dec 2011