IIT, Delhi
The Revolutionary Impact in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: The Innovative Initiatives and Collaborative Endeavors of IIT Delhi
The Bioinformatics Center at IIT Delhi strives to pioneer scientific methods and exceptionally effective algorithms by integrating principles from chemistry, biology, and information technology. This fusion is aimed at advancing genome analysis, predicting protein structures, and designing lead molecules with targeted precision. The Supercomputing Facility for Bioinformatics & Computational Biology (SCFBio) at the Center is committed to fostering a cadre of proficient bioinformatics professionals across the country through its comprehensive training programs.
The center's objectives are multifaceted seeking to revolutionize scientific methods and algorithms by integrating principles from chemistry, biology, and information technology in alignment with SCFBio's visionary pursuits. It is dedicated to validating these computational approaches by conducting experimental testing in wet-lab settings, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of predictions generated by computational tools and methodologies. Another key objective is to create a robust pool of bioinformatics professionals across the nation through specialized training programs. The center also aims to promote global collaboration and knowledge sharing by providing free access to its suite of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology tools and resources to the global user community. Additionally, it offers free supercomputing time to students and researchers within the country, facilitating their research endeavors through remote access. This commitment aims to democratize access to cutting-edge resources and foster collaborative research efforts on a global scale.
The Center’s achievements and ongoing projects represent remarkable advancements in diverse realms. It pioneers a paradigm shift in decoding genomic DNA through its innovative approach known as Chemgenome, interpreting the language of DNA from a novel physico-chemical standpoint. Additionally, it tackles the Grand Challenge of predicting protein tertiary structures through its Bhageerath-H project. Moreover,
SCFBio's development of Sanjeevini, a comprehensive, indigenous software suite for computer-aided drug discovery, reflects the center's dedication to innovation and accessibility. It envisions the development of lead molecules (via Chemgenome -> Bhageerath-H -> Sanjeevini -> lead molecule) to be synthesized, tested, and improved iteratively. The significant investment in drug discovery could significantly benefit from SCFBio's multifaceted efforts, referred to as Dhanvantari for society. These initiatives encapsulate novel software suites, advance human resource training, and provide open access to cutting-edge hardware and software resources offered by SCFBio. The developed indigenous software/tools/databases are freely accessible on the web.
BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, plays a crucial role as an NNP partner collaborating with SCFBio. The department's expertise, combined with the diverse skills of investigators spanning Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence, aligns seamlessly with the center's research approach. This synergy significantly accelerates the achievement of project deliverables, facilitating swift progress towards the project's goals.