The Study of Bioinformatics:
When I started studying Biotechnology, I found it difficult to
comprehend the unmanageable terminology. How am I supposed to relate to all
these revolutionary terms at once! And introduce it to the society as an
effective alternative to the out-dated principles. However, recently, a lot of
the Biotechnology terms have been recognized and used widely. Take
Bioinformatics as an example, this field of study, which has been identified
lately, has become a dream to many scholars for what they hear about its
potentials. Likewise Biotechnology, Bioinformatics is a broad branch of science
and many branches of science collaborate together to complete a certain
mission. That's why; an initiative has been launched to edify students about
the Bioinformatics field.
Related topics: How to study Bioinformatics?
As the number of Biotechnology seekers is growing, it would be
prudent to distribute them over the different disciplines of the field. Herein,
Bioinformatics will be defined as one of the paramount principles of the field.
Unlike the other series related to the awareness of the Biotechnology aspects,
the series starting with this article will not only target secondary school
graduates but also all science students since it is available for both.
Related topics: The correlation between the Pharmaceutical industry and Biotechnology.
Types of Bioinformatics students:
Initially, bioinformatics study is categorized in two groups. First, Bachelor's level, secondary school graduate can enroll in bioinformatics studies in the Faculty of Computers and Information Sciences only if they belong to the sciences division. Second, diploma degree as postgraduate studies.The meaning of Bioinformatics:
Briefly, Bioinformatics is the branch of science that merges
between computer sciences and biology in order to analyze or store the
biological data and using it in research and the different technological
applications. In addition, Informatics is one of the crucial tools in the
aforementioned field which is mainly meant with the data analysis with its
different programming languages that incorporate with the construction,
management and analysis of various electronic websites, computer applications
and databases.
Examples of the applications of Bioinformatics:
Bioinformatics applications are numerous. To illustrate, one of the
important application is the program responsible for the analysis of the
databases which saves a lot of time and effort yet it requires massive computer
facilities. Such types of programs replace laboratory experiments and produce
data that are used in tremendous researches. Take the human genome project as
an example, thanks to technical revolution that accelerated the project steps
the project draft had ended earlier in 2001. Furthermore, bioinformatics has
invaded the field of artificial intelligence and researches of biological
molecules transformation such as DNA as Data Storage. Bioinformatics has the
lion share of Biotechnological investments especially great companies like
Google and Microsoft due to the cost effective tools it provides besides other
applications e.g. Personal Medicine and Drug Discovery.
Course description of bioinformatics in Egypt:
Though, how bioinformatics is being taught in academia in Egypt? As
Biotechnology, the academic study of bioinformatics is divided into three branches;
first, Informatics branch that includes mathematics and its subdivisions,
programming, electronics, algorithms, statistics and operating systems. Second,
biology branch that includes; genetic engineering, biochemistry, biology,
physics, molecular biology, and genomics. Third, subjects related to
specialization such as Artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, computational
biology and genomics.
Source 1
Translated By: Eman Fathy Abdeltwab
Source 1
Translated By: Eman Fathy Abdeltwab
