National Centre for Bioinformatics (NCB)

The National Centre for Bioinformatics (NCB), Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, supports interdisciplinary education and research in Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics and Computational Biology—enabling modern life-science discovery through advanced computational and wet-lab approaches.

Established: 2008 (HEC Funded) 53,000 sq. ft Facility 8 Research + 2 Computational Labs BS • M.Phil • Ph.D

About NCB

The Faculty of Biological Sciences is committed to providing a stimulating, dynamic, and internationally competitive research environment where contemporary areas of Biology, Biotechnology and Medicine are explored at molecular, cellular and organismal levels.

Established in 2008 through funding from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), NCB operates as a faculty-affiliated research centre. It is housed in a purpose-built 53,000 sq. ft facility comprising eight research laboratories and two computational laboratories, supporting advanced research and specialized training in Bioinformatics.

The Centre integrates expertise from the Department of Computer Sciences, the Departments of Biological Sciences, and the Department of Mathematics—creating a strong interdisciplinary academic and research framework.

Academic Programs

NCB offers the following degree programs in Bioinformatics:

BS Bioinformatics

Four-year undergraduate program with strong foundations in computing and life sciences.

M.Phil Bioinformatics

Two-year graduate program with coursework and research training in advanced bioinformatics.

Ph.D. Bioinformatics

Doctoral research program aligned with university policies and cutting-edge research themes.

About Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is a cross-disciplinary field that applies computational methods to analyze, store and interpret biological macromolecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. The discipline expanded rapidly with:

Decreasing cost and increased accessibility of computing in the 1980s
Growth of the internet in the 1990s
Rise of high-throughput biological technologies in the 2000s

Wet-lab validation of computationally predicted motifs and molecular segments further enhances understanding of complex cellular mechanisms and biological systems.

Major Objectives

Advance Research & Study Promote advanced studies and research in Bioinformatics and allied fields such as Genomics and Proteomics.

Develop Skilled Professionals Train young scientists and develop highly skilled technical talent for universities, R&D and industry.

Collaborative Research Undertake joint investigations and multi-disciplinary projects in diverse areas of Bioinformatics.

Academic & Institutional Linkages Strengthen interdisciplinary cooperation among national teaching and research institutions.

Capacity Building Organize conferences, seminars, workshops and refresher courses for researchers in Pakistan and beyond.

Regional & International Outreach Engage with OIC member states and developing countries through training and research collaboration.

Medium of Instruction (EMI): All academic programs are offered under English Medium Instruction (EMI), where English is used as the primary language for teaching, research, and academic communication.

Explore NCB — Programs, Research & Opportunities

For admissions, academic programs and collaboration queries, please use the official contact channels.

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