Future scientists By IGNOU

IGNOU and the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint Centre of Excellence at the IBAB Campus, Bangalore and launch MSc. Programme in Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology.

The programme will be launched under IGNOU's School of Sciences .

Calling the collaboration with IGNOU 'a great step forward', N. Yathindra, Director and Professor of Bioinformatics , IBAB said, "By 2040, every individual in the US will get his genome sequence mapped. This will help in finding out his or her propensity to get serious diseases like cancers. The genome sequencing costs are also expected to come down to just 1000 dollars in the next 5 years."

" However, there is a serious dearth of professionals in this field in our country. The proposed programme is a unique programme, which is not being offered anywhere else in the country and will prepare manpower in Bio informatics and applied Biotechnology."

The MSc. Programme will be run at the campus of IBAB, Bangalore and is expected to start soon.