International Conference on Intelligent Biology and Medicine (ICIBM 2012)

DATES: April 22-24, 2012
LOCALE: Nashville, TN
URL: http://bioinfo.mc.vanderbilt.edu/icibm/index.html

Bioinformatics, Systems Biology and Intelligent Computing are synergistic disciplines that hold great promise for the advancement of biomedical research and development through the design of intelligent systems to solve engineering practical problems as well as translational science problems. Research and development in these areas impact science and technology, and synergies among these disciplines provide enormous potential. The International Conference on Intelligent Biology and Medicine (ICIBM) aims to provide a forum for the cross- fertilization of ideas and promotion of interdisciplinary collaborations.

India Rising

Courtesy
SCIENCE IN INDIA
Richard Stone

At the Indian Science Congress last month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged to hike R&D expenditures from around $3 billion last year to $8 billion in 2017. The windfall is meant to turbocharge initiatives to create elite research institutions, bring expatriate Indian scientists home, enrich science education, and equip smart new laboratories. Included in this push is South Asia's first biosafety level–4 lab for handling the most dangerous pathogens, slated to be up and running this spring. Over the next 5 years, an estimated $1.2 billion in public funds will be funneled to a new National Science and Engineering Research Board. Modeled after the U.S. National Science Foundation, the board is expected to fund its first competitive grants this year. Researchers will have to clear some daunting hurdles, though.


In an exclusive interview with Science, Singh explained how his government plans to “increase gradually the proportion of money that is spent on R&D and at the same time create a system of incentives which will induce the private sector to increase their spending on science and technology.”

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Technology Roadshow

There is a technology roadshow organized by SkyQuest Technology Consulting (www.skyquestt.com) across some cities in India which will be a common platform for innovators and entrepreneurs of biotech/lifescience sector.  The whole idea, is to promote technology transfers and licensing of technologies through an IP marketplace.  At this event, around 50 technologies will be showcased in the form of presentations, prototypes, technology briefings and interactive sessions.  The buyers, representing nearly 50 Industry players across India are expected to discover novel potential technologies.


The roadshows will spearhead the best IP marketplace at four different destinations across India in the month of March 2011. 


15th - Vishakhapatnam | 17th - Hyderabad| 19th – Ahmedabad | 22nd - Vadodara 

Top 100 Cutting-Edge Science Blogs

If you’re a scientist or just a science nut, trying to keep up with the latest in the scientific news and commentary via the internet can be a dizzying task. There are literally tens of thousands of blogs ranging from broad overviews of scientific breakthroughs to in-depth coverage of a specific scientific niche. Here is a list of what is considered to be the top 100 cutting-edge science blogs, arranged by category.

General

These science blogs offer a little bit of everyting.

1. Science Blog: This blog covers anything and everything science.
2. SciGuy: Eric Berger provides readers with current events and insightful commentary.
3. Open Parachute: This blog takes a look at a number of intriguing science topics.
4. Science Musings: Find out about exciting things happeining in science on this blog.
5. LiveScience: This multiple-author blog covers everything from the environment to the animal world.
6. Scientific Frontline Communication Center: Scientific Frontline has everything from weather to space exploration.
7. The Inoculated Mind: This blog offers an informed look at a variety of science topics.
8. Wired Science: The science division of wired shares current events in science.
9. All the Best Bits: This blog attempts to deliver the best of technology, physics, and beyond.

Biology

Check out the latest in the natural world on these blogs.

1. Biosingularity: Here you’ll find advances in biological systems.
2. Telic Thoughts: This blog offers thoughts on intelligent design.
3. blog.bioethics: Find out all about the latest in socially and ethically important biological stories here.
4. Migrations: Along with discussions on migrations, you’ll find evolution, cell biology, and more.
5. Biology in Science Fiction: Find out how biology is represented in science fiction in this blog.
6. The ID Update: Here you’ll find news, commentary, and more on intelligent design.
7. Animal Science Blog: This blog is all about the scientific side of animals.
8. Twisted Bacteria: This blog offers an interesting look into natural products, microbiology, and actinomycetes.
9. Bootstrap Analysis: Follow along with this ecologist’s urban field studies.

Everyday Application

See how science intersects with your life on a daily basis with these blogs.

1. Tell Me Why?: This blog will satisfy your curiosity.
2. Science and Reason: This blog attempts to explain science.
3. The Human Element: Check out this blog to see random experiments with regular people.
4. Visualizing Science: This blog sees science in real life.
5. Sorting Out Science: Sorting Out Science attempts to make science interesting for the uninformed.
6. The Mr Science Show: This blog offers an accessible look at science.
7. Odd Planet: This blog has strange science news and more from around the world.

To view the complete list of 100 blogs click here

Biotechnology to get separate ministry in India

The government is planning to upgrade the department of biotechnology (DBT) to the status of a full-fledged ministry. At present DBT is under the Union ministry of science and technology and is responsible for promoting researches for development of genetically modified (GM) crops and other biotechnological applications in agriculture and health sciences.

Speaking at the 22nd Foundation day of DBT , the Union science and technology minister, Kapil Sibal said, "DBT is 22 years old where 27 people are working. As the 21st century would be the century of biotechnology with researches and applications being carried out across the globe, the time is ripe that DBT be upgraded to the status of an independent ministry or a commission."

He said that DBT had an annual budget of Rs 9,000 crore as compared to Rs 450 crore budget for the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). He said that biotechnology had the potential for improving agricultural productivity and combating climate change. It can help in sustaining 9% growth rate in the Economy and achieving 4% growth rate in agriculture. Biotechnology had also given lot of employment opportunities to women, he said.