The Star Online, Thursday 3 August 2006

TeAM: Bioinformatics to spawn innovation

By H. AMIR KHALID

Bioinformatics, the point of convergence between biotechnology and ICT (information and communications technology) will spark off a new era in ICT innovation and business opportunities for Malaysian technopreneurs, said the Technopreneurs Association of Malaysia (TeAM).

Speaking at a TeAM forum on bioinformatics, its president Tengku Farith Rithaudeen said the Government’s National Biotechnology Policy and the Multimedia Development Corp’s (MDeC) role as bioinformatics’ enabler opened up new and exciting possibilities for technopreneurs.

At the forum, TeAM members heard about efforts by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MDeC and the Malaysian Technology Development Corp to promote the bioinformatics sector and investment in it.

They also heard from Mohamad Zubir Ansori Yahya, chief executive of Malaysia Debt Ventures on how to approach different sources of financing for their business ventures.

In addition, Silicon Graphics Pty Ltd managing director Bill Trestrail briefed them about the unprecedented computing demands that biotechnology and bioinformatics places on high-performance computing infrastructures.

The half-day forum was organised by TeAM and officiated by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.