Bioinformatics In Medical Research
According to www.genome.gov, Bioinformatics jobs cover a medical field where computer science, biology, and information technology intersect. A bioinformatician takes biological data and creates a database of chemical information at the molecular level to look for relationships between disease, genetics or natural process. They then develop items such as gene maps and protein models. The goal remains to look for biological insights that help scientists and medical personnel understand how organisms function and adapt in environments or to disease.
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How Bioinformatics Help Medical Research
According to the Census Bureau, by 2050 nearly 20 percent of the population will be 65 years or older. To maximize health in the elder years, researchers have explored the biological processes at the molecular level. Moving toward personalized medicine or precision medicine developing health care plans that tailor to the genetics and individuals biological functions increases the probability of healthy active elder years. Having this kind of information helps researchers develop paths to pharmaceuticals or treatments that have the highest likelihood of success for a set of patients with a specific set of characteristics throughout their lives. Much of medical research involves creating pharmaceuticals to address conditions. Bioinformatics has given a path where rational, structured drug design becomes possible driven by the data.
Gene Expression
Sequence data map information has begun to give insight into diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and dementia. The tools have become sophisticated enough to identify gene variants that may be responsible for such conditions. Bioinformatics has begun changing cancer genomics and creating new bioinformatics jobs in the field. Cancer genomes can become sequenced earlier leading to more extended treatment periods.
Issues
Not enough people exist that have both biological skills and the information technology skills to become bioinformaticians. Programs to find individuals or offer individuals paths to develop both sets of skills have been in progress. Biotechnology which bioinformatics jobs has become a part of continues to grow at an accelerated rate. The other looming issue remains before bioinformatics progresses much further some ethical concerns must become addressed. When obtaining in-depth genetic information on humans, the possibility of misuse of the information grows. Researchers at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville examined early studies and found participants data did not have enough protection. Moving forward, means processes will have to develop to protect sensitive medical information on the genetic level, so HIPPA rules and regulations remain intact. The goals as always remain to maintain good health.