Help: What is Bio informatics?

[michelle_k]

Originally Posted by Appolo

Just saw this rather useful thread and i must say that starlemon did a very good job in explaining the important details about bio-informatics.

here's my short answer to all of the answers above:
1) Of course. Bio-informatics is gaining more and more attention from biological research as more and more information about the molecular basis are being discovered and tested every day. in fact, some universities offered specialized courses in bioinformatics for students taking biotechnology as a major.It depends on what do you prefer when it comes to biotechnology. i would say that bioinformatics requires a lot of technical knowledge as we're talking about analyzing computed data and the development of better methods of analysis.

2) why informatics? In my opinion, the huge amount of information is the reason. i know i deal with huge databases when i'm working on my research project and all of these databases are possible because there are people who strive to develop clearer, cheaper way of analyzing gene sequences, molecular composition of metabolic byproducts and etc.

3) I would have to say both because we are taking about how to combine IT with knowledge on bio.

4) Having a fair understanding on computer programming and statistic does help as you are basically dealing with data management and data analysis.

Thanks appolo for your brief yet good explanations on bio informatics.
I really, really appreciate it.
What is databases actually?
What do we learn in computer programming? Is it tough?

[starlemon]

Originally Posted by michelle_k

Thanks appolo for your brief yet good explanations on bio informatics.
I really, really appreciate it.
What is databases actually?
What do we learn in computer programming? Is it tough?

database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system.

The creation of a formatted list, such as in preparing an HTML script, or selecting certain parameters, as in what is often called "programming".

I am not very good in programme formatting .

Perhaps this site( http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/math/program.htm ) should be useful in explaining Prgramming in a more detailed way.

By the way, what are your plannings? I guess you will be taking bio-related course right?

[frankchong]

I think there is more hype than real opportunity in bioinfomatics. The potential is there and the field is not very mature. If you are happy with computerizing a bio lab, then it is OK. However, to do so you have to be happy and good in working with computers.
Application of computer technology to bio field has potential, but being a evolving field, you need the real skill in computer science to solve problem in biology or medicine. Usually, these places look for people who are really good in computer science.
I have seen a project that merge cell data from SEM, x-ray and microscope to interprete the structures in the cells. The amount of data is similar to the amount of data in google earth. Similarly know of a graduate student who developed a DNA sequencing algorithm that beat years of work with more matching pairs identified in a short period. However, you have to be really good to do that. Search for IIC in Harvard, you will also see motivations of using computers in medicine etc.

Frank

[starlemon]

well. i have this quote from my seniors years ago:

hi, i hold a degree in Bioinformatics frm UM. graduated last yr n currently working in a Bioinformatics company. the easiest way to differentiate between biotech n bioinfo is, biotech work in wet lab while bioinfo is in dry lab. however, tis 2 hav certain connection. 1 simple example: biotechnologist do some experiment n come out wit alot of data (eg: dna sequences) ..their experiment may jz stop when they get the dna sequence. but wats the use of those bunch of data? tis is when bioinfo is needed. bioinformatician wil use their computer/IT n bio skills to provide solutions on how those data can b utilized. however, bioinfo stil very new in m'sia..kinda hard to find a bioinfo job since there r very few bioinfo companies in m'sia. but if u r reali good at it, u wil hav a wide prospect..coz u hav the skills of both IT n Bio. to me, i feel bioinfo is much more interesting than biotech coz i personally don like to stay at lab 10 hours a day..

if you are the one who does't seem like working your hard days in the lab, Bio-informatics may suite you as well. After all, you have to work closely with biologist and scientist in research fields. But what makes you different is you are deemed as an IT expert in many challenging research fields to come.

[michelle_k]

Originally Posted by starlemon

database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system.

The creation of a formatted list, such as in preparing an HTML script, or selecting certain parameters, as in what is often called "programming".

I am not very good in programme formatting .

Perhaps this site( http://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/math/program.htm ) should be useful in explaining Prgramming in a more detailed way.

By the way, what are your plannings? I guess you will be taking bio-related course right?

Thanks starlemon for your helpfulness!!! I really appreciate it!!!!
Thanks a lot for clearing all my doubts!!!
Yeah, I am currently doing foundation in biological science and may be doin bioinfo for my degree....
Oh yea, you seemed to know a lot on bio info.....R u doin bio info also?

[starlemon]

Originally Posted by michelle_k

Thanks starlemon for your helpfulness!!! I really appreciate it!!!!
Thanks a lot for clearing all my doubts!!!
Yeah, I am currently doing foundation in biological science and may be doin bioinfo for my degree....
Oh yea, you seemed to know a lot on bio info.....R u doin bio info also?

I am into biochemistry. But these fields are almost inter-related to each other. As long as you love bio-the living organisms ,then you should be able to handle it.Oh, for your info, i have 2 seniors studying bioinformatics at UM,that is where i gain the information from. Welcome!

[michelle_k]

Originally Posted by starlemon

I am into biochemistry. But these fields are almost inter-related to each other. As long as you love bio-the living organisms ,then you should be able to handle it.Oh, for your info, i have 2 seniors studying bioinformatics at UM,that is where i gain the information from. Welcome!

Ohh,....biochem and bioinfo r actually inter related.....in wat way are they inter related?
Yeah, I love bio- living organisms and how they interact with each other.....but I love chem the most among all the science subjects.....
Ohh....um also provide this bioinfo course.....r u studying at UM now?In fact, I didnt heard of bioinfo b4 tis....haha.......oni a few uni that actually provide this course, rite?
Thanks anyway, starlemon!

[Appolo]

Originally Posted by michelle_k

What is databases actually?

Thought that you might be interested in knowing about how database in biological research may be like. Here's just an example of the databases that my friends use when they are examining the phylogeny of certain organisms of interest.There are other types of databases available online.
http://rdp8.cme.msu.edu/docs/chimera_doc.html

If you click on the type of sequences, you may realized that the number of nucleotide bases in just one particular sequence maybe be enormous.

[starlemon]

Originally Posted by michelle_k

Ohh,....biochem and bioinfo r actually inter related.....in wat way are they inter related?
Yeah, I love bio- living organisms and how they interact with each other.....but I love chem the most among all the science subjects.....
Ohh....um also provide this bioinfo course.....r u studying at UM now?In fact, I didnt heard of bioinfo b4 tis....haha.......oni a few uni that actually provide this course, rite?
Thanks anyway, starlemon!

They are very related to each other.Like during the 1st and 2nd semester, i have biology classes with bioinfomatics students.Only after the 3rd semester,which is the 2nd year only we move on to our respective major.

Bioinformatic students learn more about the modelling of computer in explaining the concepts of biology.Usually,those who excel in their degree will go further into master and Phd and be a professor in the biology fields.There are lots more bio-related fields that need experts in controlling computers and try to apply into bio related concept.
Few of the university in malaysia provide this course.If not mistaken only UM offer bioinformatics. If u r interested in computer study and biology as well, just go for it.

[michelle_k]

Originally Posted by starlemon

They are very related to each other.Like during the 1st and 2nd semester, i have biology classes with bioinfomatics students.Only after the 3rd semester,which is the 2nd year only we move on to our respective major.

Bioinformatic students learn more about the modelling of computer in explaining the concepts of biology.Usually,those who excel in their degree will go further into master and Phd and be a professor in the biology fields.There are lots more bio-related fields that need experts in controlling computers and try to apply into bio related concept.
Few of the university in malaysia provide this course.If not mistaken only UM offer bioinformatics. If u r interested in computer study and biology as well, just go for it.

very sorry for the very late reply.. thanks a lot for enlightening me on bioinfo.
I really appreciate ur encouragement. Thanks again!