DBT Apex Biotechnology Information Centre

The Biotechnology Information Centre (BTIC), the Apex Centre of Biotechnology Information System Network (BTISNet), was established in 1989 at the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in New Delhi. The center coordinates and assists BTISNet nodes by providing training in bioinformatics techniques, mentoring and maintaining databases, web-servers, and software/tools developed with DBT funding. It serves as a vital resource for researchers in life sciences and computational biology. Regular activities at the DBT Apex center include bioinformatics infrastructure development, evaluating previous and new BTISNet centers, recruiting bioinformatics staff, and maintaining virtual machines for hosting DBT funded resources. The center also promotes international collaborations and has developed The Project Management System (PMS), now eProMIS, and other DBT websites. The current Apex center at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, aims to maintain DBT activities and start new tasks, such as centralized hosting of resources, public outreach activities, workshops and training programs for BTISnet coordinators, and assistance to DBT staff. The center staff also contributes significantly to the development of bioinformatics algorithms, databases, and resources at national and international levels.