Bioinformatics in Malaysia The journey of Bioinformatics initiatives in Malaysia started in the 1990s via academia platforms that offered introductory- level computational biology modules in seminars and workshops. The establishment of the National Biotechnology Directorate in May 1995 and the launch of the Multimedia Super Corridor by the government generated a sufficient foundation for bioinformatics to take root in the scientific community. The progress of bioinformatics was stagnant previously, especially due to insufficient skilled talents in the field. Furthermore, earlier on, the government strategies were focused on developing a strong biotechnology core with bioinformatics playing a supporting role. However, there are several higher learning institutions offering bioinformatics courses. One of the academic centres of excellence, The Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS) is a reference and training centre for biotechnology research that takes a system's perspective – that is, to seek a holistic understanding of biological complexity. Here, it houses the Centre for Bioinformatics Research (CBR) to foster cross- disciplinary interactions to perform advanced research in bioinformatics towards unravelling biological processes and
networks, leading to new knowledge discoveries. CBR is well- equipped with hardware and software for protein structure modelling, biological pathway modelling, system development and database construction. Various workshops and seminars are organised to promote the application of bioinformatics in biotechnology research. Meanwhile, Malaysia Genome Institute (GENOME MALAYSIA) is a network-based not-for-profit research organisation engaging in discovery research on tropical bioresources through projects on genome sequencing, comparative genomics and structural biology, under the purview of Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). GENOME MALAYSIA is continuously devoted to strengthening its research pursuits and envisions to become partners with every national research institutions and industries as well as public and private universities through research engagements and supporting research needs in diverse areas via its technology platforms that include Genomics Facility for high- throughput sequencing and genomic research, Bioinformatics (Genome Informatics and Structural Bioinformatics), protein studies and others. GENOME Malaysia is currently among the institutions working on whole genome sequencing as well as bioinformatics analysis to trace the mutations of the COVID-19 genome samples.
Timeline Of Initiatives Related To Development Of Bioinformatics In Malaysia
Establishment of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (now renamed Malaysian Bioeconomy Corporation)
Establishment of National Biotechnology Institutes (now known as Malaysian Genome Institute)
Establishment of Malaysia bioinformatics companies such as Synamatix, Malaysian Genomic Research Centre (MGRC) and Infovalley
Foundation for bioinformatics
Individual initiatives within academia
National Biotechnology Directorate
Multimedia Super Corridor
1990s
1995
2003
2005
2012
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC)
National Biotechnology Policy 2005 – 2020 (NBP)
Bioeconomy Transformation Programme (BTP)
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Malaysian Technology Strategic Outlook 2019/2020 Intergration of High Technology
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