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Biology & electronics converge
In a broader sense, bioinformatics is application of biology, computer science, electronics, IT, mathematical and statistical tools in the area of life sciences. The human body is the best possible machine ever designed. DNA is referred to as the genetic material of living organisms. It is a large helical molecule having weak bonding between base pairs of nucleotides. The study of the DNA variations help in devicing new techniques for medical diagnosis and treatments. A gene is a sequence of DNA that represents a fundamental unit of heredity. Human genome consists of approximately 30,000 genes, having approximately 3 billion base pairs. Computer methods help in sequencing larger portions of genomics of several species. Sequencing refers to the determination of the order of nucleotides in a DNA and is the most important aspect of bioinformatics. Research on genomics is dealing with the logistics behind the development of human being from single cell to an adult. The convergence of electronics, computers and life sciences has enabled the study of organisms at biomolecular level. The applications of
bioinformatics in medicine are unparalleled. Biochips have become a
reality and are used to analyse biological material to diagnose a
disease. They assist in drug discovery and testing. In coming times
the patient will visit a doctor with lab-on -chip device having the
complete medical history. The drug remedy for the ailment will be
decided on the basis of DNA of the patient. The chip will also
include the patient’s identity and establish the cause of the
potential disease, and its corresponding remedy. DNA chips consist
of small flat surfaces on which strands of half of DNA double helix
are placed. The The day is not far
when the human being will get rid of inborn diseases in no time. If
the aptitude is less it can be increased. The height and physique of
an individual can be altered. The convergence of biology, computer
science, electronics and mathematics into bioinformatics will enable
such innovations. |
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BIOINFORMATICS
is an integration of mathematical, statistical and computer methods
to analyse biological, biochemical and biophysical data. It is the
science of developing computer databases and algorithms for the
purpose of speeding up and enhancing biological research. The terms
bioinformatics and computational biology are interchangable. All
matters concerned with biological databases are considered
bioinformatics and the process of developing algorithms and
statistical models to analyse biological data through computers come
under the domain of computational biology. Bioinformatics has become
a mainstay of genomics and proteomics.