[ Home | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Michelle Dazzi
Date: 02 Sep 2008
Time: 21:30:21 -0400
Remote Name: 10.15.11.109
A variety of definitions exist for bioinformatics, however all the definitions revolve around the concept of a research area that uses both computer and biological science. Bioinformatics consists of two subfields that are complementary to each other: the development of computational tools and databases and the application of these tools and databases in generating knowledge to better understand living systems. Bioinformatics is now having a major impact on many biotechnology areas and even biomedical science, where it has applications in knowledge-based drug design, forensic DNA analysis, and agricultural biotechnology (Xiong, 2006). Bayat (2002) states that bioinformatics is essential for management of data in modern biology and medicine. The main bioinformatics tools are computer softwares and the internet where one of the many useful websites that can be found is the National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). This website maintains bioinformatics tools and databases. The use of bioinformatics tools provide the ability to identify and target specific genetic markers which facilitated the discovery of the drug Gleevec, which interferes with the abnormal protein made in chronic myeloid leukemia. “Bioinformatics will serve to identify susceptibility genes and illuminate the pathogenic pathways involved in illness, and will therefore provide an opportunity for development of targeted therapy” (Bayat, 2002). Bioinformatics is also playing an increasing role in agriculture where gene discovery efforts are aimed at improving seed quality, engineering plants to cope with metals, and manipulating plant nutrients for human health. Concerned with loss of biodiversity, some scientists are using bioinformatics in order to establish the extent of genetic variation among populations and within captive breeding programs, these data can be used to determine specific matings that will increase a population’s diversity. Bioinformatics has also helped provide a deeper understanding of environmentally important processes such as iron and sulfur oxidation, nitrogen fixation, and metal and acid resistance (Bloom, 2001). It is clear to see that bioinformatics is not simply a disciplinary subject that combines computer science and biology. Bioinformatics is now involved in many aspects of biological and medical research and has a promising future of great discoveries REFERENCES: Bayat A. 2002. Bioinformatics. BMJ. 324: 1018 – 1022. / Bloom M. 2001. Biology in silico: The Bioinformatics Revolution. The American Biology Teacher. 63 (6): 397 – 403. / Xiong J. 2006. Essential Bioinformatics. New York: Cambridge University Press. 339 p.