Bioinformatics

Abstract

Bioinformatics is the discipline of science that deals with the application of mathematics, statistics, and computational methods for processing genomic information which may include, but are not limited to, DNA/RNA sequences, protein sequences, nucleic acid and protein structure, gene expression data, functional annotation, signaling pathways, as well as genotype-phenotype and genotype-therapeutic correlation. Bioinformatics also involves the design and maintenance of large-scale molecular databases, algorithm pipeline development for automating genomic workflow, use of information systems, web technology, imaging, mathematical modeling and computer simulation. Although there is a wide repertoire of bioinformatics applications in biological research, the exponential growth of genomic medicine, introduction of personalized health care, public availability of genomic data, and privacy of health information have made bioinformatics one of the most visible fields in modern science.