The Bioinformatics Centre was established at the Institute as a sub- centre under the BTIS network. The Centre has a dedicated Internet connectivity (1 mbps), necessary hardware and software resources to initiate and support the Spice Bioinformatics/Biotechnology programmes. An advanced IT infrastructure with high end servers, routers, switches and wired and wireless LAN was built up during this period. A Bioinformatics Library with more than 100 reference books, journals, databases etc. was also set up. A round the clock browsing facility, SpicE- Lab, is also made available for the benefit of students and research fellows. Active collaboration exists with nearby BTISNet centres, especially with the centre at CPCRI, Kasaragod in organizing Bioinformatics trainings and sharing of resources. The Centre also collaborates with NIT, Kozhikode for conducting a Bioinformatics course for M.Tech. students. Currently 19 students are attending this course. Bioinformatics students doing their M.Sc. in other institutions are allowed to carry out their project work in the institute. The Centre collaborated with DOEACC Centre, Kozhikode in conducting an ‘O’ level course in Bioinformatics. The Centre has also initiated action on coordinating Agri- bioinformatics efforts in the country by organizing workshops and by developing an Agri- Informatics portal.
Activities
Development of integrated databases and software tools on various aspects of spices viz. genetic resources, their chemical constituents, pathogens of spices etc was one of the key activities of this centre.There are 14 databases to its credit and many of them are available online. The Centre has awarded Bioinformatics traineeship to nine students and studentship to 16 students. It has conducted 12 training programmes out of which seven were of 3 weeks duration.
Services
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Computational and Information support to various R&D projects of the institute.
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Maintenance and updating of the institute website,intranet (‘SPICENET’) and the email facility (‘Spicemail’).
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Designing and developing customized databases and software for scientists, administration etc.
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Providing round the clock access to Internet and Bioinformatics tools through the facility called E- Lab.
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Designing, development and hosting of websites of various ICAR institutes.
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Providing logical support for the Institute library in online accessing of information resources, e- publishing, digitization and building up an institute repository.
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Organizing in- house training for institute staff in computers and other IT areas.
