Bioinformatics activity in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University dates back to 1989 with the inception of the Biotechnology Information System (BTIS) program of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The bioinformatics centre at the Centre for Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (earlier CPMB) is one among the Sub-Distributed Information Centre (DISC) of the BTIS network which was established in scientific institutions all over India to foster research, education and training in Bioinformatics.
During the early years of inception, DISC was primarily involved in supporting the researchers of biotechnology and related disciplines in statistical analysis, bibliographic services, browsing facility and providing email and internet facility. Besides, training of students and teachers on bioinformatics is carried out every year. With the growing emphasize on Bioinformatics education worldwide and in India, a M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) program was started in 2004 to cater to needs of the students from agriculture and allied subjects.
Subsequently an undergraduate program, B. Tech (Bioinformatics) was started in the year 2006. The bioinformatics activities at TNAU were so long been a part of the Department of Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, presently with the reconstitution of the departments under CPMB&B, henceforth it falls under the Department of Plant Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics.
VISION
To develop comprehensive computational approaches for analyzing plant life processes and diseases to improve sustainable agriculture.
MISSION
To provide cutting edge knowledge in molecular biology and bioinformatics and equip the students with hands on training to organize, analyze and interpret biological information at molecular, genetic and genomics levels that allow students to solve new problems in a creative way.