Indian Institute of Science, iisC Bengaluru
The Pinnacle of Integration: The Pioneering Work in Systems Biology and Computational Structural Biology at IISc Bengaluru
The Bioinformatics Center at IISc is dedicated to advancing systems biology and computational structural biology. Its primary objective is to create comprehensive multi- scale models of biological systems in human health and disease, leveraging expertise in multi-omics data analysis, pathway exploration, protein-ligand interactions, and image analysis. The center excels in modeling biological systems across various scales through a fusion of profound biological understanding and state-of-the-art data analysis techniques, including AI tools.
The center's key objectives include fostering the capacity to construct multi-scale models for diverse biological systems by integrating novel methodologies, both in research and educational outreach through workshops and training programs. Additionally, it aims to establish strategies that seamlessly integrate bioinformatics into all realms of biology research, making it an indispensable component.
The center has published papers on the development of algorithms for large-scale protein-ligand binding site comparisons (SiteMotif, FLAPP) and data mining in biological networks (PathTracer, PathExt). Their research extends to exploring host genetic diversity in HLA-genotypes, alongside the initiation of a novel method for screening probes in super-resolution imaging. Their tool PathTracer stands out for its ability to identify the flow of biologically relevant information by mining genome-wide protein protein interaction networks following the integration of gene expression data, leading to tracing the most perturbed paths under the conditions of the study. Other tools from the center are available at https://dbtbiciisc.wordpress.com/. Furthermore, the center hosted a brainstorming session with faculty from both within and outside the institute, focusing on ‘Integrating Bioinformatics with Biology’. This effort was followed by the organization of SIRCON 2023, a conference held in collaboration with the Society of Inflammation Research, India. Additionally, a faculty training initiative successfully equipped professionals from diverse biological disciplines with essential skills in bioinformatic analyses.
FLAPP algorithm to align binding site structures
Identification of a biomarker panel that identifies bacterial coinfections in culture-negative COVID-19 cases
In collaboration with IBAB under NNP, the center envisions a partnership aiming to create a conceptual framework facilitating the integration and construction of a multi- scale model specifically targeting inflammation within biological systems. This integration promises practical applications across various stages of disease diagnosis and treatment, amplifying its significance in the field.