Training on Application of Bioinformatics in Biological Studies for college students North East India Award winning Bioinformatics Education Programme (BEP) for the year 2024 successfully concluded on 25th June 2024. The programme was executed by Bioinformatics Centre, Biotechnology Division, Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Sikkim covering seven university and colleges of the state. Current year’s selected seven university and colleges were, College of Horticulture, Central Agriculture University, Bermiok, South Sikkim, Computer science department, Sikkim Institute of Science & Technology, Chisopani, South Sikkim, Himalayan Pharmacy Institute, Majhitar, Pakyong, Government Pharmacy College, Sajong, East Sikkim, School of Life Science department, Sikkim Alpine University, South Sikkim, Sikkim Government Science College, Chakung, Soreng and Zoology department, Sikkim Government College, Namchi, South Sikkim. Bioinformatics is an emerging important field of biological sciences where the research and development work such as insilico drug designing can be done without the use of experimental animals like guinea pigs. It also engulfs pivotal research fields like genomics and proteomics.
During the programme the MSc and BSc students were introduced and made aware about the latest technologies of Bioinformatics including its importance in the scientific career of the students followed by the hands-on sessions on analysis and interpretation of genomic database. With the increasing demands and values of Bioinformatics in all the biological researches, Bioinformatics knowledge among the bioscience student has also become equally important. The students were also highlighted upon the various research activities going on under Bioinformatics Centre, Biotechnology Division, Vigyan Bhawan and suggested them to give a visit to the centre for a better information and interaction. All the bioscience professors and students expressed their sincere gratitude to the Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Sikkim, for making them aware from such an important and useful elite field of biology. The programme has brought excellent motivation among the bioscience students in their studies. All the respective Principals and professors have also attended this programme and thanked the department for introducing and briefing importance of bioinformatics among the students which is the real need of biological students. It is also understood that some of these institutes have shown their interest to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bioinformatics research, learning with the Bioinformatics Centre, Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Sikkim. The Resource Person of the Bioinformatics Education Programme was Dr. Laydong Lepcha, Assistant Scientific Officer, Bioinformatics Centre, Biotechnology Division, Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology. The Bioinformatics Education Programme were conducted with the support of Government of Sikkim. The programmes were held under the supervision of Shri. D.G. Shrestha, Principal Director, Dr. K.B. Subba, Scientific Officer, Biotechnology Division, Department of Science & Technology, Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology, Government of Sikkim.
