Bioinformation Infrastructure facility centre

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India, New Delhi, has sanctioned "Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility (B.I.F) Centre" to Berhampur University. Presently the Centre is established in the department. of Zoology, Berhampur University and is engaged in many academic activities leading to popularization and understanding of Bioinformatics and its importance in Biological Science. The B.I.F Centre provides learning and training in Bioinformatics to the science students, scholars and teachers of the university and affiliated colleges. The centre is coordinated by Prof. Subasini Pattnaik, Professor, Department of Zoology, Berhampur University.

Aims and Objectives

The main aim of the centre is to create professionals, teachers and scholars in the field of Bioinformatics tools and Computational Biology.

• Berhampur University has incorporated Bioinformatics as a part of the curriculum in M.Sc Biotechnology.
• Some of the Colleges affiliated to Berhampur University Cater B.Sc and M.Sc degrees in Bioinformatics.
• The Executive Committee meetings were conducted annually in presence of Dr B.Ch. Sabata (DBT Nominee) and other members for the execution/inspection of the centre.

Major Research Activities in Biotechnology and its Related Fields

• Culture, isolation and screening of bacteria,
• Development of fish chromosome database,
• DNA Bar-coding of commercially important fishes.
• Computational Modeling of Macromolecules.
• Cyanobacterial Database
• Homology Modelling, Phylogenitics, Sequence analysis.
• Provide hands on training to students for their M.Sc., M.Phil. project works and Ph.D. programs
• Provide training in bioinformatics with various aspects of Biological sciences.
• Students undergone their M.Sc/M.Phil project work (dissertation) in this Centre.
• The Centre provides Studentship and traineeships for a period of six months to the students of Biotech and Bioinformatics with fellowship.
• Two candidates were awarded with Ph.D in Bioinformatics.

Infrastructure Facilities in the Bioinformatics Centre

• Hardware: The Center has 10 numbers of Computers with High-speed Broadband and Wi-Fi facility.
• Software: The Center has procured number of computational biology software (Discovery Studio, Lead IT etc.) for modeling of Macromolecules.
• UGC-INFONET.

Details of Training/Workshop Organized(Year Programmes)

• A Workshop on "Biotechnology for Economic Enhancement of Rural Community in Southern Region of Odisha" 11/09/2015.
• 2013 A three day Workshop-Cum-Training programme On "Applications of Bioinformatics Tools in Biological Science Teaching and Research".
• 2012 Two day Workshop-Cum-Training programme on "Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Tools and Techniques".
• 2010 Short term Training Course on "Bioinformatics in Sequence Analysis, Molecular Modelling and Drug Designing".
• 2010 Workshop on "Sequence Analysis, Phylogenetic and Structure Prediction of Biomolecules".

Publications of the Centre

• Acharya U.R et al (2014). "Sequence and structural Analysis of ?- Actin Protein of few fishes, using Bioinformatics Tools and techniques". International Journal of Biosciences. Vol. 4, No. 11: 249-256.
• U.R.Acharya, S.K.Behera, M.K.Panda (2012).Bioinformatics Analysis for Identification and Structure Prediction of Transmembrane Mucins. Emerging Science Journal, 4(11):1-4.
• Satpal Singh Bisht, Santosh Kumar Behera and Amrita Panda (2011). Comparative Study of Tryptophan Synthase Beta Chain between Pyrococcus Furiosus (Archaea) and Salmonella Typhimurium (Proteobacteria). International Journal of Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, 1(3):168-172.
• Satpal Singh Bisht, Santosh Kumar Behera and Amrita Panda (2011). Bioinformatics Analysis of Tryptophan Synthase beta Chain in an Archaea. Biomirror, Volume 2(7):1-6.
• U.R.Acharya, S.K.Behera M.K.Panda & Ranjit Singh (2011).Sequence Analysis and Homology Modeling Of Growth Hormone Protein of Few Fishes, Using Bioinformatics Tool and Techniques. Journal of Science, Berhampur University, Vol.XVIII.
• Research paper entitled "Comparative study of stability of RNA secondary structure in three different strains of Lactobacillus johnsonii" was published in Journal of Science, Berhampur University-2009.
• Research paper entitled "Computational analysis of Mucin Protein (MUC1) using Bioinformatics tools and techniques" was accepted and orally presented in the UGC Sponsored National Seminar on "Biotechnology for Human Welfare & Prosperity" Organised by Science College, Hinjilicut, Orissa on 22nd &23rd March 2009.

Future Plans

• Organize hands on training, workshops and short term training programmes for utilizing the applications of Bioinformatics in biology teaching.
• Establish collaboration with other institutions and BTISnet Centres for information resources and expertise.
• Develop on-line databases