The Department of Biotechnolgy (DBT) is all set to hold a session on bioinformatics at Hyderabad on 14th September 2004. It is proposed to discuss various strategies for institutional capacity building, human resource development, short and long term R&D, industry-academia partnership, promotion of investment and trade and international collaboration in the area of bioinformatics so as to create an environment for accelerated growth of this sector.

The union minister for Science & Technology and Ocean Development, Kapil Sibal is likely to attend the meeting and is to have interaction with the industry.

In recognition of the importance of bioinformatics in the twenty-first century, DBT has identified it as an area of high priority for the 10th plan period in order to ensure that this sector attains levels demanded in the international arena. It has been realised that this can be achieved only through strong linkage between academia and industry and active participation of all players in the field.

The DBT took a major step forward in establishing a national grid of bioinformatics centres as the Biotechnology Information System Network (BTISnet). The network has presently grown all over the country with 61 centres engaged in teaching and developmental programmes in bioinformatics. Several other departments and agencies such as DIT, DST, CSIR, ICMR, ICAR etc are also actively pursuing this field in order to further strengthen bioinformatics in the country, officials informed here.

In order to provide an impetus to this hard-core domain area, DBT is working on a strategy against the backdrop of its experience; building up on the success and learning from shortcomings. The primary objective is to make India competitive in the field of bioinformatics in the changing global scenario. The proposed strategy is envisaged to provide a framework for the national polices to be adopted over the coming years to promote growth of bioinformatics in India and to encourage its application, officials said.

Earlier, the department had prepared a draft policy document and is revising it time to time by adding the comments and recommendations made by the industry. The department intends to finalize the Bioinformatics Policy soon, with the ultimate objective of creating a buoyant Bioinformatics industry in the country.