Table of Content:
| What is Bioinformatics? | Application of Bioinformatics | Frequently Asked Questions |
What is Bioinformatics?
Bioinformatics is an emerging branch of biological science that emerged from the combination of both biology and information technology. It is an interdisciplinary field of study that uses Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science that have merged to form a single discipline. This sector is mainly involved in analyzing biological data, and developing new software using biological tools.
According to the NCBI- National Center for Biotechnology Information, the branch of NLM- National Library of Medicine and NIH- National Institutes of Health, Bioinformatics is defined as the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, recovery, storage and visualization of all biological information using computation technology.
The term Bioinformatics was first coined in the year 1960 by the two Dutch biologists named Paulien Hogeweg and Ben Hesper. According to their research and discoveries, Bioinformatics was defined as the study of information processes in biotic systems.
Also Read: Principles and Processes of Biotechnology
Application of Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is mainly used to extract knowledge from biological data through the development of algorithms and software.
Bioinformatics is widely applied in the examination of Genomics, Proteomics, 3D structure modelling of Proteins, Image analysis, Drug designing and a lot more. A significant application of bioinformatics can be found in the fields of precision and preventive medicines, which are mainly focused on developing measures to prevent, control and cure dreadful infectious diseases.The main aim of Bioinformatics is to increase the understanding of biological processes.
Also Read: Infectious diseases
Listed below are a few applications of Bioinformatics.
- In Gene therapy.
- In Evolutionary studies.
- In Microbial applications.
- In Prediction of Protein Structure.
- For the Storage and Retrieval of Data.
- In the field of medicine, used in the discovery of new drugs.
- In Biometrical Analysis for identification and access control for improvising crop management, crop production and pest control.
This was a brief introduction to Bioinformatics. For more detailed information on Bioinformatics, its scope, applications and other related information, visit BYJU’S Biology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of bioinformatics?
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary science field that helps to understand complex biological data. It is a combination of both biology and information technology.
What are some applications of bioinformatics?
Bioinformatics includes biological studies that can be used in the field of genomics and evolutionary studies. In the field of medicine, it can be used in the discovery of new drugs.
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