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Call to explore new avenues in genome study

Photo: T. Singaravelou

Interesting study: Akhilesh Pandey of the Institute of Bioinformatics, Johns Hopkins University (right), discussing with . Kuppuswami, director (SEI & RR), Pondicherry University, at a seminar in Puducherry on Wednesday. —

PUDUCHERRY: The study of proteins has a tremendous potential for “translational research.” It is an emerging branch of medical research that attempts to directly connect basic research to patient care, according to Akhilesh Pandey of the Institute of Bioinformatics, Johns Hopkins University.

Delivering keynote address at a seminar on “Bioinformatics in Genome Research” at Pondicherry University, Prof. Pandey said, “though proteomics is in its infancy, the subject has tremendous potential for translational research.” The professor, who is on a sabbatical to India, said it was important to note that the existing genome annotations were largely derived from “gene prediction programmes” and contribution from experimentally-obtained transcripts was to a lesser amount.

In spite of recent advances in computational gene finding, accuracy rate of gene prediction programmes was only about 40 per cent, he said. Biologists have to explore the unexplored areas in genome research to pass on the benefits of bioinformatics to the public. S. Kuppuswami, director (SEI & RR), Pondicherry University, said the Bioinformatics Department has been recognised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development as a Centre of Excellence.

The Ministry has been providing adequate funds for taking up research programmes and holding seminars for the benefit of students.

Others who spoke at the inaugural function include P.P Mathur, Coordinator, Centre for Bioinformatics, and S. Jayachandran, Dean, School of Social Science, Pondicherry University.

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