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| CAREER GUIDE | Friday, September 20, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
A career in
bioinformatics |
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A career in bioinformatics Biotech research
generates such massive volumes of information, so quickly that we need
newer and swifter ways of crunching the deluge of data (much of it
hopelessly jumbled) churned out by the research labs. Mining,
digitising and indexing this enormous quantum of data requires
high-end computational technology and sophisticated software
solutions. For instance, it has taken over 10 years of
round-the-clock study to merely map the human genome sequence, which
involved identifying three billion base pairs of genes! In terms of
volume, this information would fill over 2,000 standard PC diskettes!
And that is just the beginning. It is believed that in a few years,
almost complete genetic information of all living organisms will
become available through databanks for scientific research. However,
the real revolution in cell biology is not the decoding of genomes
(the basic organic nuts and bolts i.e. the chemical composition of the
DNA) in humans, plants animals or pathogens but observing the patterns
of gene activity and interaction within these sequences. Fathoming,
classifying and mining this enormous quantum of data requires highly
sophisticated software solutions like relational databases and reverse
DNA synthesis. Global giants like Motorola, Oracle, and IBM are
working towards this end. In fact, IBM is investing $100 million in
building a supercomputer called Blue Gene for simulating protein
processes and for evolving 3-D structural data to represent these
processes. Global IT majors like IBM, Motorola, Hewlett Packard and
Oracle followed by our own TCS, Wipro, Satyam Computers, Spectramind
E-services and several others are diversifying into this sector by
teaming up with biotech and pharma companies like Monsanto, Ranbaxy,
Dr Reddy’s Labs. Globally, the biotech computing sector is
estimated to touch a whopping $30 billion by 2003 and $ 60 billion in
2005. This in turn will create a corresponding boom in job
opportunities. According to a white paper prepared for the Ministry of
Information and Technology, the current size of the Indian
bioinformatics industry is estimated to be between $500-$700 million.
Companies need cross-functional manpower at all levels —
biologists with IT skills, or IT professionals with a serious interest
in biology (just one of the skills is not enough) who can offer
complete cost-effective database solutions to pharma and genome-based
biotech companies all over the world. While a Master’s or PhD is
preferred at the science end, knowledge of Java, Unix, C, C++, RDBMS
such as Oracle and Sybase, CORBA, Perl, CGI and web scripting.
The
work There is no such thing as a typical career path in this
field. Bioinformaticians need to perform two critical roles: develop
IT tools embodying novel algorithms and analytical techniques, and
apply existing tools to achieve new insights into molecular
biology. However, you must remember that although powerful and highly
specialised in itself, bioinformatics is only a part of biotechnology.
Getting a DNA sequence coding for a new protein does not automatically
make it useful. Unless this information is converted into useful
processes and products, it serves no purpose. You can not, for
instance, have a virtual drug or a virtual vaccine. We need real
products. And we need to develop our own new molecules (particularly
if we have to survive in the new IPR regime).
Pay at start Starting
with a package of Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000, you can expect Rs 20,000
with a couple of years of experience under your belt. In fact, the
acute shortage of experts in the field has given rise to active
poaching of scientists from premier research institutions. The going
price for bioinformaticians with a year’s experience is upwards of
Rs 50,000 per month. Starting salaries in the USA range between
$60,000 and $ 90,000 for professionals with a couple of years of
experience. Postgraduate diploma courses: Jawaharlal
Nehru University, Bioinformatics Centre, New Delhi Advanced PG
Diploma in Bioinformatics (teaching & research programme). The
course is aimed at training biologists (after MSc or equivalent in the
areas of IT, computational biology, mathematical methods and
structural bioinformatics). IIT-Kharagpur Course: Master’s
in Medical Sciences & Technology (3-yrs) to impart engineering
skills to medical graduates and train them for state-of-the-art
medical research in the frontier areas of bioinformatics, genetic
engineering, immuno-technology, telemedicine, etc. Eligibility: MBBS
(60% agg) with maths at 10+2. Selection: a 2-hr objective-type
entrance test based on MBBS syllabus. University of Pune,
Bioinformatics Centre, Pune. Course: Advanced Diploma in
Bioinformatics (1-yr) Eligibility: Master’s in Vet Sc, Agri, Pharma,
MBBS, MCA, BE or BTech. (Reservation: 50% seats for SC/ST and 30% for
women). Website: www.bioinfo.ernet.in/1~diploma. Osmania
University, PGRR Centre for Distance Education, Hyderabad 500007.
Course: Postgraduate Diploma in Bioinformatics. Eligibility: Master’s
degree (MSc or above) in any branch of biol/life/agri/pharma/ vet/medical/environ
science, including biophysics (55%). Amity Institute of
Biotechnology, E 27 Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024(NOIDA & S
Delhi Campus). PG Diploma in Bioinformatics (1-yr). Eligibility: BSc
(Biotech/Comp Sc) / BCA Website: www.amity.edu/aib. University of
Calcutta, Bose Institute, Bionformatics Centre, 92 Acharya
Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata 700073. Course: Postgraduate Diploma in
Bioinformatics. Eligibility: MSc (Biotech, Phys, Chem, Math, Microbiol,
Botany, Zool, Agri, Vet Sc, MCA, BE/BTech, MBBS, or equiv (60% agg).
Selection: Entrance test. Madurai Kamraj University, Bioinformatics
Centre, Madurai 625021(TN). Course: Postgraduate Diploma in
Bioinformatics. Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh.
Studying abroad If you wish to pursue higher studies in
bioinformatics in the USA, here are some of the universities to
target: Boston University, Stanford University, University of
Washington, Washington University (St Louis), University of
Pennsylvania, George Mason University, University of California (Santa
Cruz), University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, Rice
University. Other key players in this sector: Kshema technologies,
Strand Genomics (set up by 4 IISc Proffs). Pervin Malhotra |
QUERY HOTLINE Q What is the final decision regarding UGC NET for lectureship? Is it or is it not mandatory?
Sanjeev Bhatiya A The issue of exemption from the NET has undergone several twists and turns in the past few years. In ’98, the UGC left the exemption issue open to the universities following which many amended their ordinances accordingly. However, in 2000, the UGC reversed its decision. Now that regulation has also been amended once again. The NET has now been waived for all those who would have submitted their PhD on or before December, 2002, by the UGC (earlier, only those who had submitted their PhD thesis before 1993 were exempted). In the case of MPhil, the earlier stipulation still applies. i.e. only those who completed their MPhil before ’93 are exempted. However, those who fail to obtain their PhDs as well as those who did their MPhil after ’93 will have to take the NET. Art & Design Q After joining a fashion house or garment export firm as a trainee, where can I hope to be in the next 5-7 years? Jyisha A Once you have learnt the ropes and worked as a designer for a few years, you can hope to move up to the level of a Senior Designer. In this position you will lead and instruct a team of designers. You will “direct” their creativity by guiding them to deliver the customer’s specific style requirements. You will monitor their output and try to ensure that your team complies with the technical specifications and quality parameters. You will analyse global trends while keeping a close eye on the market in general, and the competition in particular, in order to develop new designs. As the Head Designer, you will plan the entire collection for forecasting next season and oversee production plus organise trade/ fashion shows. Hotel Management Q I am doing a diploma in hotel management (first year). I am not very interested in operations. Do you think there is a good career in the Front Office? Kiran Munjal A Give or take a little, your career path in the Front Office of a hotel will go along the following lines: Management Trainee/Front Office Asst. (stipend approx Rs 5000-6000 p.m.) Starting out as a Duty Manager, . you will be put through on-the-job training round of the various Front Office departments. Asst. Manager (Rs 16,000/- p.m.). You will be responsible for the functioning of a designated section (Reservation/Front Desk, etc). You will head a team of FOAs and co-ordinate with other units for customer care and guest relations. Asst. Front Office Manager (Rs 22,000 p.m.) Reporting to the Front Office Manager, you will now be in charge of personnel management and MIS of Front Office. You will supervise Asst. Managers involved in customer care and co-ordinate with other departments to ensure good occupancy for the hotel. Front Office Manager (Rs 30,000 p.m.). Responsible for the entire functioning of the Front Office, you will supervise your team of managers and submit a monthly report on occupancy, room-wise revenue generation and related MIS to the GM. IT Q After completing my BSc and a course in e-commerce I have been working as a web designer for a year. I want to now get ahead in my career and join a good company in a good position. But I don’t have any idea how to go about it. Vipin Aggarwal A One year is too little an experience in this field to look for a change. Unless there are other factors such as the company’s financial health or lay-off plans etc, it is advisable to spend at least 2-3 years before changing your job. I would therefore suggest that you concentrate on enhancing your skills in web designing as well as in web development (designing by itself is not enough). Keep abreast of current technologies and gain as much varied experience as possible within your area of specialisation. At this stage of your career, the focus must be centered on learning. And the best way of learning is to master whatever you are doing in depth and not limit yourself to merely fulfilling the requirements of the task at hand. That is also the route to a better job in this field. Your proven on-the-job skills and relevant experience will count very highly when you apply for better jobs later. The IT industry is beginning to look up and there will be enough opportunities for well-experienced professionals even if your company is unable to capitalise on your experience. However, do note the emphasis on “well”. The emphasis in the IT industry is now shifting to quality and not quantity. |
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FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-166
1. Name the country’s first meteorological satellite that was
launched recently. 2. After which Indian space scientist has the
Srihari Kota Space Centre( SHAR) been renamed? 3. Which Indian city
recently saw trial run of metro train? 4. Name the Deputy Prime
Minister of Iraq. 5. Which country is set to be displaced by India
as world’s number one rice exporter, going by the current rice
exports by the latter? 6. Who is the richest man in the USA with a
fortune of $43 billion, according to the Forbes magazine? 7. Expand
IIAS. 8. Who was recently chosen for the third Lal Bahadur Shastri
Award for Excellence in Public Administration and Management Sciences
for 2001? 9. What is the capital of Madagascar? 10. What is the
name of Egypt’s largest pyramid? 11. When is the World Ozone Day
observed? 12. Which South Korean city is going to host the Asian
Games from September 29? 13. Who was the captain of the Indian
hockey team in the recently concluded Champions Trophy in
Germany? 14. How many Indian batsmen have scored successive centuries
in three innings in Test cricket? 15. Which Pakistani batsman
recently entered cricket record books as the first batsman to be given
out lbw by the third umpire, in the ICC one-day tourney in Sri
Lanka? Name.........................Class.............. School
address.............................. Winners of quiz 165. The
first prize by draw of lots goes to Himanshu Kakkar, Class VIII-B,
Little Flower Convent School, Sector 14, Panchkula. Second: Arun
Kumar, Class 9-B, Govt High School, Rajiana, PO 53 miles, Teh&dist
Kangra(HP). Third: Jatinderpal Singh, IX-D, Little Flower Convent
School, Civil Lines, Gurdaspur-143521, Punjab. Answers to quiz 165:
Johannesburg; Kyoto Protocol; Karachi&Chashma; George Fernandes;
South Korea; People for Ethical Treatment of Animals; Real Madrid;
Sunil Gavaskar; Dublin; J&K; Cabinet Committee on Disinvestment;
Venus; Volleyball; Tennis; Bula Chowdhury. Cash awards of Rs 400,
300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners,
respectively. These are sent at the school address. — Tarun
Sharma |
Representing a marriage of IT and biotechnology, bioinformatics is
poised to be one of the most prodigious growth areas in the next two
decades. Currently valued at around $ 1 billion, the industry is
expected to grow exponentially over the next 10 years stretching the
very boundaries of biotechnology —transforming an essentially
lab-based science into an information science yielding rare biological
insights and hastening the discovery of new drugs.