“Multidisciplinary” is the key word of the current scientific era, and biological science is no different as it has increasingly adopted multidisciplinary approaches to solving complex biological phenomena. This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry is a testament to the power of artificial machine learning and computing power to solve many problems, including protein structure. We hope that this will in turn lead to the production of effective proteins using synthetic biology to solve many biological problems. So, in effect, we can see the relevance of computer science, physics and chemistry in unraveling the structure of a protein, which is biological science. Ultimately, a multidisciplinary approach to biological sciences is the only way to foster groundbreaking discoveries and address pressing global challenges in areas such as health, medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation. To impose limits on science or to assume that only a particular branch of science can solve a problem would be tunnel vision in our modern age.

In Bangladesh, however, we choose to compartmentalize science, and particularly biological sciences, into medicine, agriculture, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, genetic engineering and biotechnology. But there is a lot of overlap between all of these topics. Additionally, subjects like agriculture, biochemistry and biotechnology are a combination of some of these disciplines. Under these circumstances, claiming that scientists in a given discipline are most competent at tackling health problems and diseases of plants, animals, and humans, as well as controlling microbes, is highly misleading. Rather, collaboration between these disciplines as well as between computer science and even engineering is a prerequisite for developing a scientific infrastructure and culture in Bangladesh that can be globally competitive. Therefore, uniting – not dividing – scientists from different disciplines should be the country’s priority.

Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, professionals in these disciplines take an individualistic approach and tend to think that they can solve problems by relying solely on their expertise in a specific field; they are even known to show disdain towards any consideration of any cooperation between different fields. One of the main examples is the lack of collaboration between farmers, molecular biologists and/or genetic engineers and statisticians. In technologically advanced countries like the United States, European countries, and Japan, scientists in these fields collaborate on a single project to support each other and improve their research results. For example, the Human Genome Project, unveiled in 2003, involved biologists, geneticists, computer scientists, and statisticians, demonstrating how large-scale scientific achievements depend on interdisciplinary expertise. This approach is still absent in Bangladesh, which seriously affects the quality of science.

A similar scenario exists between physicians and other related biological disciplines. While physicians tend to approach medical problems by examining the functioning of organs and their corresponding physiological impacts, biologists approach these problems from a molecular perspective. For example, in the case of a patient with hepatitis C, a doctor would focus on assessing liver damage and managing treatment. In contrast, developing an effective drug to combat disease would require a multidisciplinary approach involving biochemists, pharmacists, microbiologists, chemists and computer scientists. Thus, collaboration between doctors and scientists is essential for optimal patient care. Unfortunately, such cooperation is still rare in Bangladesh.

One of the renowned scientific institutes in the country, where scientists from multiple disciplines work together to find solutions to biological problems, is the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB). We are dismayed that the research activities of this important institute have been at a standstill since the beginning of August 2024, due to management protests against the director general. The appointment of a new biotechnology graduate has also stalled. Appointment to the post of Director General of the NIB as well as to senior positions in any other research institute should be based solely on scientific merit and international reputation. That said, any internationally renowned scientist, regardless of the discipline of biological sciences, is qualified to hold such a position, provided that their scientific merit and reputation are of international caliber. These disciplines include biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, botany, zoology, agriculture, genetic engineering, biotechnology, etc. It is extremely misleading to assert that only a scientist with a biotechnology background is competent enough to serve as Director General of the NIB.

We researched the detailed qualifications, training and disciplines of scientists currently working at NIB. The percentages for the different disciplines are: 40 percent for biotechnology; 22 percent for biochemistry and molecular biology; 14 percent for microbiology; 12 percent for agriculture; 10 percent for botany; and two percent for zoology. Thus, the assertion that biotechnologists are be a victim of discrimination This can’t be true – not in NIB’s case, at least.

The Global Network Society of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB), founded in 2004, played a key role in formulating the guidelines for the establishment of the NIB. Scientists from all disciplines of biological sciences, including farmers, doctors, biochemists, microbiologists, botanists, zoologists, molecular biologists, veterinarians and biotechnologists, and even computer scientists and statisticians, are members of the GNOBB and work together to develop a truly multidisciplinary scientific culture. in the country. GNOBB also strives to showcase the significant research achievements of Bangladeshi biologists, both at home and abroad. We have honored Bangladeshi scientists for their groundbreaking work by awarding the GNOBB Gold Medal, open to professionals from any of the above-mentioned disciplines working in Bangladesh or abroad.

The organization’s name and efforts to bring all disciplines of the biological sciences under one roof reflect its strategy to support multidisciplinary science. GNOBB believes that promoting an international scientific standard in Bangladesh requires a united approach. In this time of nationhood transition, unity rather than division is essential. Just as ecological diversity contributes to stability, collaboration among scientists from diverse biological fields enhances their ability to make meaningful contributions through interdependence and sharing of expertise.

Dr Zeba Islam Seraj is a UGC Professor at the University of Dhaka and President of the Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB).

Dr. Abidur Rahman is a professor at Iwate University in Japan and secretary general of GNOBB.

Dr Ishrat Jabeen is an Associate Professor at North South University and a member of the GNOBB Executive Committee.

Dr. M. Manjurul Karim is a professor at the University of Dhaka and a member of the executive committee of GNOBB.

Dr. Arafat Rahman is a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University in the United States and a member of the GNOBB executive committee.

Dr M Nurul Islam is a professor at the University of Dhaka and treasurer of GNOBB.

Dr Jamilur Rahman is a professor at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and a member of the executive committee of GNOBB.

Dr Abdoul Karim is a professor at the University of Dhaka and a member of the executive committee of GNOBB.

Dr Ahmed Abdallah Azad is former Secretary General of the Academy of Sciences of the Islamic World, former Chief Research Scientist of the Biomolecular Engineering Division of CSIRO in Melbourne, Australia, and a member of the Executive Committee of GNOBB.

Dr Haseena Khan is a retired professor of Dhaka University, secretary of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and vice-president of GNOBB.

The opinions expressed in the article are those of the author.

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