Research

Appreciating the mystery of life will not be absolute without understanding the mechanism of diseases. Discovering or Designing novel drugs with the aid of computers helps to bring out new lead molecules which promise activity against selected targets. Prior to wet lab procedures and pre-clinical animal model studies, ADME/T prediction are kept routine so as to propose the potential candidate molecule to the scientific community.

Phylogenetics, which helps in unraveling the origin and evolution of disease causing pathogens also set clear path in developing novel therapeutic regime. Genotyping of Viruses is another area of research interest so as to predict the patterns of evolution of emerging diseases before the next expected outbreak.

Understanding the bio-active compounds of most ancient forms of life – the insects, is an interesting research area.

Detecting new codes from the existing codes of life is the most challenging aspects of research. Artificial synthesis of non-natural proteins from the existing genomic template and to examine their impact on cellular physiology has also been found to be a promising area of research.

Gene expression and its regulation during different stages of development is one of the most fascinating and complex areas of research. Intergenic regions, which constitute the major part of most genomes offer a huge repository of peptide structures embedded within. In silico Characterization of Structure & Functions of such structures may lead to the design of novel peptides with a variety of functions including novel transcription factors, enzymes etc.

In contrast with analysing life, synthetic biology focuses on engineering biological parts for useful purposes. kera, a language for synthetic biology is a step in this direction.

A bio-electronics team works in development of a Snake Venom Detection Biosensor (SVDB) which can replace our conventional unreliable polyvalent antivenom to the safe monovalent one. In addition to that we are also doing research on venom proteomics, venom gland transcriptomics, whole genome sequencing of major Kerala specific snake species, antidotes against snake venom, microbial-desalination, β-glucan longevity study and also on the characterization of plant secondary metabolites.

PhD. Programme

The Centre for Bioinformatics offers PhD in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (vide University order No. Ac.E1.A.2.29772/05 dated 13/01/2006). Candidates from Science, Applied Sciences and Engineering & Technology can apply for part-time or full-time research at the centre during December and June each year, according to the rules and regulations (Click Here for Regulations) of the University of Kerala in this regard. So far two candidates have been awarded PhD. Four candidates are awaiting award. About 12 candidates are in various stages of research. See the side box for the current areas of research.

Generally candidates with M.Phil Bioinformatics are preferred for research by some guides. M.Phil students are exempted from entrance exam for PhD and can submit thesis in two years. Most of the guides prefer to have full time (FT) students. (The energy required to keep momentum and to motivate part time (PT) students has proven to be enormous.) Also commitment to research is more when candidates choose full time and guidance is seen to be more effective. Only under extraordinary circumstances are part time requests considered.

Joining for research is a major career decision which requires detailed discussions between you and your prospective guide to understand each other. Out of five active research guides, two are external and are also research guides in other areas. Thus the actual number of positions available is severely limited.

Every PhD candidate from 2010 has to complete 3 course works and pass exam for the same. (i) Research Methodology Course (ii) Paper–I on research topic and (iii) Paper-II on research topic. Teaching Assistance Duties for Research Scholars: As per University ordinance of 1978 each senior research fellows shall be required to deliver a short course of lectures not less than three and not exceeding six each year during the tenure of the fellowship, on the subject of their work.

Bioinformatics being an inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary subject, candidates from various faculties including Science/Applied Science/Engineering/Medicine etc are seen to be interested to do research. So far the centre has recommended that if candidates are eligible as per the requirement of the faculty in which they hold masters degree, they be awarded degree under the same faculty to meet their preferred requirement.

Other Places

• Research Publications
• Faculty / Research Guides
• Researchers

Following fellowship opportunities are available for PhD students:

• University of Kerala Fellowship - For all FT students @ Rs. 6,000/- per month for the first two years and Rs. 6,500/- per month for the third year.
• KSCSTE Fellowship Programme - For those who pass the selection process of KSCSTE. Eligibility is described HERE and the fellowship is Rs. 9,000/- per month for the first two years and Rs. 10,000/- per month for the 3rd year. The fellowship will carry an annual contingency grant of Rs. 15,000/- plus H.R.A.
• BINC Fellowship - BINC (Bioinformatics National Certification) Fellowship is an initiative of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. Centre for Bioinformatics is an examination Centre for the BINC exam. More details available HERE.
• UGC/CSIR Fellowship - In basic disciplines – Life Science / Computer Science.
• SIUCEB Fellowship - Rs. 10,000/- per month. 4 fellowships per year.