About

Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics Facility

The Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics Facility at ICAR–Indian Institute of Spices Research was established in 2000 as a sub-centre under the BTIS Network. Since its inception, the facility has evolved into a central hub connecting multidisciplinary scientists, computational biologists, and technical experts dedicated to providing comprehensive bioinformatics support, training researchers, and mentoring students.

The centre offers bioinformatics expertise to all divisions of the institute. Our group specializes in delivering computational assistance across a wide range of research domains, including the analysis of gene expression and gene regulation at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic levels. We integrate diverse ‘omics’ technologies—genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, metabolomics, and proteomics—to deepen biological understanding and advance spice research.

In addition, the facility has expanded into computational chemistry and structural bioinformatics with a dedicated focus on spice research and phytochemical discovery. We offer capabilities for molecular docking, virtual screening, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and structure-based functional analysis, enabling the exploration of interactions between spice-derived phytochemicals and key plant or pathogen proteins. These computational tools help identify bioactive compounds, prioritize promising phytochemicals, and generate mechanistic insights into spice metabolite functions, plant defense pathways, stress-response mechanisms, and host–pathogen dynamics.

We continually develop and apply algorithms, pipelines, and analytical tools that utilize sequence and structural data to address diverse biological questions—ranging from understanding how genes respond during plant diseases to evaluating how genomes evolve under changing environmental and cellular conditions. We design these pipelines to be scalable, modular, and reusable, enabling efficient processing of large multi-omics datasets and ensuring consistency, reproducibility, and long-term usability across different research projects.

We offer

NGS and genome analysis support for students, scientists, and faculty.
Advanced genomics and metagenomics tools (GWAS, transcriptomics, lncRNA/circRNA, phylogenomics, microbiome analysis) for efficient data extraction and visualization.
Computational structural biology services, including docking, virtual screening, and MD simulations for phytochemical–protein interaction studies.
Bioinformatics workshops for researchers and students.
MSc project guidance in genomics, transcriptomics, structural biology, and pipeline development.
Short-term training programs for Post-MSc and PhD students in NGS analysis and multi-omics workflows.

Our Team

The Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics Facility (BIG), ICAR–IISR is supported by a team of skilled scientists, bioinformaticians, and technical staff dedicated to advancing research in genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and cheminformatics. The team provides computational expertise, develops pipelines, and supports collaborative projects across spice research and allied disciplines.

Former Students and Trainees

The BIG facility takes pride in its alumni, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful careers in bioinformatics, computational biology, and allied research fields. The training and mentorship provided at the facility equip students and trainees with hands-on experience in genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, and cheminformatics. Alumni remain connected through collaborative projects, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, contributing to the broader bioinformatics community. Their achievements reflect the facility’s commitment to nurturing skilled professionals who can address complex challenges in spice research and plant science.