The Scope of Bioinformatics in Modern Science

BIOINFORMATICS Pinaki Kr. Rabha

The term Bioinformatics was first introduced in 1970 by Paulien Hogeweg to refer to the study of information processes in biotic systems. While some people define the term as An integration of computer, mathematical and statistical methods to manage and analyze biological information , others view it as The field of science in which Biology, Computer Science, and Information technology merge into a single discipline . In the present-day context, Bioinformatics involve the use of techniques including applied mathematics, informatics, statistics, computer science, chemistry and biochemistry to solve biological problems usually on the molecular level. Major research efforts in the field include sequence alignment, gene finding, genome assembly, protein structure alignment, protein structure prediction, prediction of gene expression and protein-protein interactions, and the modeling of evolution.

Bioinformatics comprises three components. 1. Creation of databases: This involves the organizing, storage and management of the biological data sets. The databases are accessible to researchers to know the existing information and submit new entries, e.g., protein sequence data for molecular structure. 2. Development of algorithms and statistics: This involves the development of tools and resources to determine the relationship among the members of large data sets e.g., comparison of protein sequence data with the already existing protein sequences. 3. Analysis of data and interpretation: The appropriate use of components 1 and 2 to analysis data and interpret the results in a biologically meaningful manner. These includes DNA, RNA and protein sequences, protein structure, gene expression profiles and biochemical pathways.

Scope of Bioinformatics: 1.Bioinformatics helps to create an electronic database on genomes and protein sequences from single celled organisms to multicellular organisms. 2. It provides techniques by which three-dimensional models of biomolecules could be understood along with their structure and function. 3. It integrates mathematical, statistical and computational methods to analyse biological, biochemical and biophysical data. 4. Bioinformatics deals with methods for starting, retrieving and analysing biological data such as nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) and protein sequences, structure, functions pathways and genetic interactions. 5. The computational methods in bioinformatics extend information for probing not only at genome level or protein level but up to whole organism level, or ecosystem level of organization. 6. It provides genome level data for understanding normal biological processes and explains the malfunctioning of genes leading to diagnosing of diseases and designing of new drugs.

Owing to the wider scope of bioinformatics, one can explore an array of career prospects available in both public as well as private sector. As it brings together the domains of molecular biology and information technology one can explore opportunities in pharmaceutical science, biomedical science, biotechnology, amongst others. In the above- mentioned sectors, there are varied job profiles offered, some of which have been given a rundown below. Bioinformatics Programmer Under this profile, one needs to facilitate various DNA and molecular biology-based research projects and enter them into the computational programming systems, thus working on the automation of genomic processes as well as simplifying the assessed information in computer systems. Knowledge of coding along with programming languages like C, C++, Python is incremental to pursue the role of a Bioinformatics Programmer. Bioinformatics Analyst As more of an entry-level position, a Bioinformatics Analyst carries out research projects in labs and work on the development of informatics algorithms as well as bioinformatics databases which can assist in detecting diseases and different physical ailments.

Pharmacogenetician: The key responsibilities formulating a series of computer based algorithms for data management of large sequence of living material. The bioinformatics programmer include:Designing and maintaining the algorithm tools required in assisting the sequencing database analysis, and analyzing the sequencing data for its integration administering the sequence projects, sequencing datasets, and other computational algorithms for accurate interpretation of the biological systems and developing the necessary tools for tracking the next generation sequencing databases. of a bioinformatics programmer comprise main responsibilities of a in genome browsers and

Applications in Medicines- In the field of medicine applications of bioinformatics is used for following areas. Molecular medicine The human genome will have profound effects on the fields of biomedical research and clinical medicine. The completion of the human genome and the use of bioinformatic tools means that we can search for the genes directly associated with different diseases and begin to understand the molecular basis of these diseases more clearly. This new knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of disease will enable better treatments, cures and even preventative tests to be developed. Personalised medicine Clinical medicine will become more personalised with the development of the field of pharmacogenomics. This is the study of how an individual s genetic inheritence affects the body s response to drugs. Today, doctors have to use trial and error to find the best drug to treat a particular patient as those with the same clinical symptoms can show a wide range of responses to the same treatment. In the future, doctors will be able to analyse a patient s genetic profile and prescribe the best available drug therapy and dosage from the beginning. Preventive medicine Preventive medicine consist of measures taken to prevent disease rather than curing them to treating their symptoms.

Drug discovery- Drug Bioinformatics. Computational biology an essential element of bioinformatics help scientists to analyse the disease mechanism process and validate new and cost-effective drugs. The idea of using X-ray crystallography in drug discovery emerged more than 30 years ago, when the first 3D structure of protein was determined. Protein structure can influence drug discovery at every stage in design process. The Bioinformatics help us to detect Protein structure. These highly specific drugs promise to have fewer side effects than many of today s medicines. discovery is one of the main applications of

Gene therapy: Gene Therapy is a process through which genetic materials are incorporated into unhealthy cells in order to treat, cure as well as prevent diseases. Gene therapy is a novel form of drug delivery that enlists the synthetic, machinery of the patient s cell to produce a therapeutic agents. It involves the efficient introduction of functional genes into the appropriates cells of the patients in order to produce sufficient amount of the protein encoded by transferred gene. Strategies are-gene addition, Removal of harmful gene, Control of gene expression. In the not too distant future with the use of bioinformatics tool, the potential for using genes themselves to treat disease may become a reality.

Waste Clean up Another important application of bioinformatics is in waste clean up. Here, the primary objective is to identify and assess the DNA sequencing of bacteria and microbes in order to use them for sewage cleaning, removing radioactive waste, clearing oil spills, etc. Deinococcus radiodurans bacterium has the ability to repair damaged DNA and small fragments from the chromosomes by isolating damaged segments in a concentrated area. Gene from the other bacteria have been inserted to the D. radioduranas for environmental cleanup. Deinococcus radiodurans is known as the world s toughest bacteria and it is the most radiation resistant organism known. Scientists are interested in this organism because of its potential usefulness in cleaning up waste sites that contain radiation and toxic chemicals.

Crop Improvement Bioinformatics plays a significant role in the development of the agricultural sector, agro-based industries, agricultural by-products utilization and better management of the environment. It makes effective usage of proteomic, agricultural crop production to develop strong, more drought- resistant, and insect-resistant crops. Thereby enhancing the quality of livestock and making them disease resistant. metabolomic, genetic, and

Veterinary Sciences The course of research in Veterinary Science has achieved an advanced level with the help of Bioinformatics. In this field, the application of Bioinformatics ranges specifically focuses on sequencing projects of animals including cows, pigs, and sheep. This has led to the development in overall production as well as the health of livestock. Moreover, Bioinformatics has helped scientists to discover new tools for the identification of vaccine targets.

Biotechnology There are a wide range of applications of Bioinformatics in the field of biotechnology. Apart from understanding the genes and genomes, the bioinformatics tools and programs are used to compare the gene pair alignment in order to identify the functions of genes and genomes. Furthermore, it is also used in molecular modelling, docking, annotation and dynamic, etc.

Improve nutritional quality Scientists have recently succeeded in transferring genes into rice to increase levels of Vitamin A, iron and other micronutrients. This work could have a profound impact in reducing occurrences of blindness and anaemia caused by deficiencies in Vitamin A and iron respectively. Scientists have inserted a gene from yeast into the tomato, and the result is a plant whose fruit stays longer on the vine and has an extended shelf life.

Insect resistance Genes from Bacillus thuringiensis that can control a number of serious pests have been successfully transferred to cotton, maize and potatoes. This new ability of the plants to resist insect attack means that the amount of insecticides being used can be reduced and hence the nutritional quality of the crops is increased.

Development of Drought resistance varieties Progress has been made in developing cereal varieties that have a greater tolerance for soil alkalinity, free aluminium and iron toxicities. These varieties will allow agriculture to succeed in poorer soil areas, thus adding more land to the global production base. Research is also in progress to produce crop varieties capable of tolerating reduced water conditions.

Comparative Studies Analysing and comparing the genetic material of different species is an important method for studying the functions of genes, the mechanisms of inherited diseases and species evolution. Bioinformatics tools can be used to make comparisons between the numbers, locations and biochemical functions of genes in different organisms.