A biosensor consists of an enzyme or a binding protein such as an antibody mounted on a piece of plastic, connected to a transducer and capable of providing either qualitative or quantitative results. For example, best-selling glucose biosensor,”

Biosensors also has a pivotal role in developing economies, the agriculture and food industry is increasingly becoming conscious of quality and has long recognised the value of rapid and inexpensive methods of estimating shelf-life, deterioration and contamination.

Bioinformatics

The last few decades have seen huge advances in the biological sciences. Especially in the last five years, the availability of sophisticated technology has resulted in the increasingly rapid sequencing of the genetic material of several species, including famously, the human genome. This deluge of information has necessitated the creation of a means to manage the data in terms of organizing, indexing and storing it. This has led to the evolution of the science of bioinformatics. The crux of this science is not only in managing the data. It goes deeper than that in designing databases and developing interactive interfaces from where information can be accessed and data inputs facilitated.The bioinformatics uses algorithms and computation intensive techniques.

Bioinformatics is setting a new pace for biotechnology research by reducing the lead time for various process involved in the chain of biotechnology developments like

• assignment of the gene protein function,
• locating of the similar gene sequences in different organisms,
• selection of the drug targets,
• online testing of the potential drug targets and so on.
• its applications are being made to solve complex biological problems leading to advancement in healthcare and crop improvement systems to facilitate overall growth and improvement in economic development.

Bioinformatics in India

Biotechnology Information Network system consists of an apex center at the Department of Biotechnology head-quarters, New Delhi which is linked with 63 Bioinformatics centers. These centers have responsibility of data collection, collotion, creation and data dissemination centers of the network which can be accessed through the individual website of the BTIS net centers.

In addition to the dissemination or exchange of in house developed data bases and technology packages in a well secured manner, many sites of widely used public domain data bases are also hosted in the network. Human resource development has been recognized as an important area for effective sustenance of the bioinformatics activities. Towards meeting the needs for trained Bioinformatics professionals, long term courses are being run as part of this network in several reputed universities and institutions.

Many National facilities on interactive graphics are dedicated to the promotion of molecular modeling and drug discovery activities. The BTIS centers have also developed several useful databases on various aspects of Biotechnology. The BTIS net centers are well equipped with state of art computer and communication facilities and the centers are using high and servers for database development, website creation etc.