What Is Bioinformatics?
by Robyn Tellefsen
Bioinformatics is the field of science in which biology, computer science, and information technology merge to form a single discipline. The ultimate goal of the field is to enable the discovery of new biological insights as well as to create a global perspective from which unifying principles in biology can be discerned.
Roughly, bioinformatics describes any use of computers to handle biological information. What almost all bioinformatics has in common is the processing of large amounts of biologically derived information, whether DNA sequences or chest X-rays. In practice, the definition used by most people is narrower; bioinformatics has become a synonym for computational molecular biology--the use of computers to characterize the molecular components of living things.
Doing bioinformatics typically means using computers to store, retrieve, analyze, or predict the composition or the structure of biomolecules. Biomolecules include genetic material (nucleic acids) and the products of genes (proteins).
Bioinformatics and the Human Genome Project
The Human Genome Project, which was completed in 2003, represents the greatest achievement of bioinformatics methods. Through the Human Genome Project, scientists determined the complete sequence of the three billion DNA subunits, identified all human genes, and made them accessible for further biological study. Without the annotation provided via bioinformatics, the information gleaned from the Human Genome Project would not be very useful. And completing the genome sequence is just the first step. Continued investment in current and new databases and analytical tools is critical to the future usefulness of Human Genome Project data.
Bioinformatics Degree Programs
You can earn everything from a diploma or certificate all the way up through a Ph.D. in bioinformatics. Courses in bioinformatics include applied mathematics, artificial intelligence, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, informatics, and statistics. The curriculum is designed to build a solid foundation in modern life sciences as well as cutting-edge computer technology.
Advanced bioinformatics degree program courses train you to manage biological data, develop computational methods for analysis and integration of the data, solve scientific problems, and make new discoveries. In addition to scientific and technical concepts, bioinformatics degree programs also expose you to the business, ethical, and social aspects of science.
Bioinformatics Careers
A bioinformatics degree program prepares you to work in the industry and academia, pursue graduate education, work in medicine and related disciplines, or engage in research. Potential job titles include bioinformatics programmer, database developer and administrator, physician, project manager, research scientist, technical assistant, and technical sales representative. Of course, some of these positions require an advanced degree. Potential employers include research labs in academia, the bioinformatics service industry, governmental agencies, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, the software industry, and more.
Enroll in a bioinformatics degree program today, and get ready to learn the secrets of how life really works.
Roughly, bioinformatics describes any use of computers to handle biological information. What almost all bioinformatics has in common is the processing of large amounts of biologically derived information, whether DNA sequences or chest X-rays. In practice, the definition used by most people is narrower; bioinformatics has become a synonym for computational molecular biology--the use of computers to characterize the molecular components of living things.
Doing bioinformatics typically means using computers to store, retrieve, analyze, or predict the composition or the structure of biomolecules. Biomolecules include genetic material (nucleic acids) and the products of genes (proteins).
Bioinformatics and the Human Genome Project
The Human Genome Project, which was completed in 2003, represents the greatest achievement of bioinformatics methods. Through the Human Genome Project, scientists determined the complete sequence of the three billion DNA subunits, identified all human genes, and made them accessible for further biological study. Without the annotation provided via bioinformatics, the information gleaned from the Human Genome Project would not be very useful. And completing the genome sequence is just the first step. Continued investment in current and new databases and analytical tools is critical to the future usefulness of Human Genome Project data.
Bioinformatics Degree Programs
You can earn everything from a diploma or certificate all the way up through a Ph.D. in bioinformatics. Courses in bioinformatics include applied mathematics, artificial intelligence, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, informatics, and statistics. The curriculum is designed to build a solid foundation in modern life sciences as well as cutting-edge computer technology.
Advanced bioinformatics degree program courses train you to manage biological data, develop computational methods for analysis and integration of the data, solve scientific problems, and make new discoveries. In addition to scientific and technical concepts, bioinformatics degree programs also expose you to the business, ethical, and social aspects of science.
Bioinformatics Careers
A bioinformatics degree program prepares you to work in the industry and academia, pursue graduate education, work in medicine and related disciplines, or engage in research. Potential job titles include bioinformatics programmer, database developer and administrator, physician, project manager, research scientist, technical assistant, and technical sales representative. Of course, some of these positions require an advanced degree. Potential employers include research labs in academia, the bioinformatics service industry, governmental agencies, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, the software industry, and more.
Enroll in a bioinformatics degree program today, and get ready to learn the secrets of how life really works.
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