Dr. M. Karthikeyan, Scientist, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune delivered a lecture on “Role of Chemoinformatics in Academics and Industry

ALIGARH August 19: Dr. M. Karthikeyan, Scientist, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune delivered a lecture on “Role of Chemoinformatics in Academics and Industry” at a programme organized by the Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University.

While thanking for the invitation to share his thoughts on the subject of his specialization, Chemoinformatics and highlight the opportunities for students and faculties of chemistry, Prof. Karthikeyan said that Chemoinformatics basically helped to design chemicals with desired properties and also guide us what to make and how to make?

He said that the subject is very popular around the globe especially in USA, UK, Canada, Japan and Europe. A lot of job opportunities and research positions are available in those countries. In US, about five thousand people are involved in this field of study and they are earning approximately 3000 crore rupees per annum. Even in India we have several industries like Jubilant Biosys, GE, GVK-Hyderabad, Ranbaxy, Lupin, Parimal, Advinus, Chembiotech, Tata Chemicals etc., that have separate departments for Chemoinformatics.

Dr. Karthikeyan said that in academics, a bachelor's course (B.Sc. Level) in chemoinformatics is already functional in south India at Lady Dock College for Women where students are pursuing M.Sc. and PhD in Chemoinformatics. He urged that courses in Chemoinformatics should also be started at different institutes and universities in India. There are several JRF positions available in chemoinformatics for the students with chemistry, biology, computer science background. Unfortunately due to lack of knowledge and experience the students were not available for these positions.

He clarified that additionally the combination of Chemoinformatics and Bioinformatics allows studying the problems in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and drug design with a battery of specific methods. He urged the department to start a course in this area.

Earlier, Prof. Syed Ashfaque Nabi, Chairman, Department of Chemistry introduced the guest. Prof. Zafar Ahmad Siddiqui proposed vote of thank. Dr. Amjad M. T. Khan conducted the programme. A large number of faculty members and students were present in the lecture.