IIT Kharagpur has launched an ambitious programme to encourage beginners of undergraduate engineering courses at the institute to enrol for Genomics Study. "To engage the brightest young engineering minds in biology research, particularly in genomics and genome engineering, IIT Kharagpur is going to start the genomics laboratory facility for engineering students from all the branches of engineering," said Professor Sudip K Ghosh of the Department of Biotechnology, who will be heading the lab.

Genomics is a branch of molecular biology dealing with the structure, function, evolution and mapping of genomes that contain DNA information. It helps researchers discover why some people get sick from certain infections. "These experiments will teach students about the building blocks of life, construction of protein structure from DNA sequence, mutation and its effect on enzyme structure," he said. "They will be engaged in DNA and protein profiling and will also be able to identify the biological father of a baby by simulation of DNA gel electrophoresis using the whole genome.

"Students will be able to visualise protein inside the bacteria and animal cell using fluorescent microscopy and conduct many experiments to get an overall idea from the cell to the genome," he said. Third year onwards, they will be allowed to plan and execute experiments on their own under the mentorship of faculties from Biotechnology, Bioscience, Chemistry, Medical Science and Technology and Computer Science and Engineering. The lab which will function 24x7, will be equipped with all the essential equipment required for cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, sequencing facility and microscopy facility.