Biologists may have huge amounts of data at their disposal, but they require quantitative approaches to arrive at accurate analyses and interpretations.
Kiran MazumdarShaw, CEO of Biocon, recently said at the award of an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology at Bennett University’s annual convocation that while the first two decades of this century belonged to information technology, the world is now entering an era of biology Computer science. As various areas of the life sciences, such as biology and chemistry, currently rely on quantitative prediction and interpretation to answer complex questions using advanced mathematical, computational, and statistical tools, Mazumdar Shaw’s aspiration seems to be growing. Relevance in the Modern Age Biologists have huge amounts of data at their disposal, but this requires substantial quantitative approaches in order to arrive at precise analyzes and interpretations.
“It is ironic that in a country like India, where students have to choose between math and biology from XII onwards, biology and computer science seem to offer a plethora of options that often overlap,” says Karthik Raman , Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras (IITM) and Coordinator of the Institute Center for Integrative Biology and System Medicine (IBSE).
Interdisciplinary influences
According to him, the pandemic has accelerated the need for interdisciplinarity in education as technological disruptions become increasingly important to make the necessary predictions in both health infrastructure and disease diagnosis. Raman explains that it is not uncommon for a mechanical engineering student on the program to work with a biotechnology faculty on a master’s project that combines knowledge of both biology and computer science. “Almost 50% of the students who register for the interdisciplinary dual study programs in data science usually work on projects that have a significant application of data science in biology. They can adapt their curriculum and courses to get adequate training in these two areas, ”adds Raman.
The IITM has also made it mandatory for all UG students to take an introductory course in biology to familiarize students with basic concepts in the subject. “It has elective modules like Big Data in Biology as well as Biomedical Engineering and Bioenergy modules to prepare students for careers in research and industry,” says Raman, who teaches the Data Structures and Algorithms for Biology course at IITM.
Career Scope
“There are now a large number of companies and start-ups that focus exclusively on developing the next generation of digital healthcare. Even large technology and hardware organizations develop core competencies and dedicated teams in the domain. These organizations bring various innovations in design, assisted living, disease prevention that require a large workforce with the skills that the students acquire. These can be potentially rewarding goals for students after graduation from IIT, “says Mitali Mukerji, professor in the Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, IIT Jodhpur, where emphasis has been placed on core topics such as a recent revision of the UG, PG curriculum and PhD Data structure and algorithms, machine learning, deep learning and other areas of AI.
“These subjects, oddly enough, aren’t just intended for computer science students, they’re the central part of life sciences and bioengineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgy and materials engineering, etc. On the other hand, Jodhpur’s IIT Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering offers several courses in in the areas of Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Multiomics, Systems Biology and Big Data Analysis, which cover the entire spectrum of the interface between biology and computational science, any student from a different background can learn and contribute to this, “added Mukerji.
With prospects in large pharmaceutical companies offering RandD positions, and even startups offering technological solutions to emerging biological problems, graduates in these areas will have a wealth of opportunities, says Rajinder Singh Chauhandean, Research and Consulting, Department of Biotechnology HoD, Bennett University, where a course on Computational Thinking and Programming is offered to students of biotechnology in their first semester. From the third semester onwards, a BTech Biotechnology student can also take a specialization in computer science.
Relevant Courses
Chauhan emphasizes the need to take courses in bioinformatics, computer biology, Python programming and R programming: “We live in a world in which the boundaries between the disciplines are becoming increasingly blurred. The experts in computer science and biotechnology are now working hand in hand to provide solutions to problems in medicine, ecology, evolutionary biology, etc. For example the vast amount of genome sequencing data that is getting generated all over the world from research labs working on various SARS CoV-2 variants require algorithms developed through Computational Sciences for quick analysis.”
Abundant Jobs
“Computation Science has become a vehicle for many areas to move forward in terms of research and innovation. Advances in gene editing, drug discovery, and genome mapping techniques have proven revolutionary. Because the results of these technologies have a significant impact on human health and quality of life, which is why this area offers many jobs and excellent professional growth, “explains Deepak Garg Dean, International Relations and Corporate Outreach; HOD, computer science and engineering, Bennett University.
According to him, students can opt for computer science and engineering and take elective / secondary courses related to the life sciences. “There are open elective and elective courses in computational biology, bioinformatics, genomics, etc. Biotechnology is becoming more modular and user-friendly, so that specific domain knowledge is less and less strict, and there are many renowned universities offering master’s courses at the interface of the two,” Garg added.
Priyadarshi Satpati, Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, explains whether the convergence of computational science and biology will help students solve real-world problems: “Computers will reduce the cost and time it takes to research the disease through analyzing images (e.g. brain scan data), while genome analysis will help personalized medicine in the future. The possibilities are endless.”
