{"id":184360,"date":"2024-04-23T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T05:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/?p=184360"},"modified":"2026-02-06T08:06:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T07:06:41","slug":"all-about-bioinformatics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/all-about-bioinformatics","title":{"rendered":"Bioinformatics: What is it? What is it used for?"},"content":{"rendered":"<br \/>\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]&gt;a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}\n<p><strong>Among cells, genomes, biomolecules, &#8230; the world of science is of indescribable complexity. To better understand it, it&#8217;s important to get to know the ensemble of these elements. And although we are still far from knowing everything, scientists have made significant progress in recent years. Especially thanks to bioinformatics that applies data processing principles to the life sciences.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Bioinformatics, between science and data<\/h3>\n<h4>Definition of computational biology<\/h4>\nAt the <b>intersection of biology, computer science, mathematics, and physics<\/b>, bioinformatics processes data in the fields of life sciences. Specifically, it refers to the modeling, analysis, and integration of biological data.\n\nThis scientific discipline has been made possible thanks to the <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/big-data-for-dummies\">huge technological advances related to Big Data<\/a>. Today, scientists are able to collect large amounts of data in understanding cells, genomes, biomolecules, ecosystems, tissues, organisms, or even communities and populations. So much <b>biological information implies a growing need for data expertise<\/b>; whether for its manipulation, storage, visualization, or data analysis.\n\nIn essence, the goal of bioinformatics is to better understand the science of life through data. To achieve this, scientists can study the current functioning of the elements (for example, thanks to sequence analysis) or study the evolution of these same elements (especially with modeling).\n<h4>A bit of history<\/h4>\nThe term bioinformatics first appeared <b>in 1970 through a study by Paulien Hogeweg and Ben Hesper<\/b> on the information processes in biotic systems.\n\nThen, Robert J. Cedergren continued to refine this discipline <b>by exploring the structure of RNAs<\/b>. His work, in collaboration with other scientists and mathematicians, started the movement.\n\nGradually, computational biology has extended to other fields of science such as biochemistry, molecular medicine, pediatrics, environmental health, etc.\n\nToday, computational biology is entirely multidisciplinary.\n\n<br \/>\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=&#8221;.svg&#8221;]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"457\" src=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/04\/Bioinformatics_Liora3.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex is-content-justification-center\"><div class=\"wp-block-button \"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button \" href=\"\/en\/courses\/data-ai\/\">Discover our Data Science courses<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<h3>The subdisciplines of bioinformatics<\/h3>\nAlthough bioinformatics is very broad, it can be divided into various subdisciplines. Here are the main ones.\n<h4>Sequence bioinformatics<\/h4>\nThis branch of computational biology <b>analyzes the genetic information contained in a DNA sequence<\/b>. By studying the elementary components of DNA or protein sequences (such as nucleotides or amino acids), it is possible to identify similarities between sequences, genes, or regions considered scientifically relevant.\n\nBorn with the invention of DNA sequencing in the 1970s, this discipline has particularly evolved. Since then, scientists discover an increasing number of sequences (whether genomes or complementary DNA).\n\nBut the amount of data available is such that it is also difficult to process them well. This is the whole interest of bioinformatics. By integrating data techniques and tools (including <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/database-what-is-it\">databases<\/a>), sequence searching and analysis is simplified.\n\nThe introduction of these techniques represents a real revolution. Moreover, these techniques are constantly evolving. As proof, at the beginning of the 2000s, sequencing the first human genome had required about 2 billion \u20ac and more than 10 years of work. Today, that same sequencing only requires a few hours of work and less than 1,000 \u20ac of investment.\n<h4>Structural bioinformatics (or molecular modeling)<\/h4>\nIt consists of using computer tools <strong>to reconstruct, predict, and analyze the 3D structure of biological macromolecules<\/strong>. These techniques are indispensable due to the size of the macromolecules. They are so small that traditional observation techniques (such as microscopy) are insufficient.\n\nWith molecular modeling, it&#8217;s possible <strong>to reconstruct these macromolecules in a three-dimensional format<\/strong>. For this, scientists use crystallographic analyses, nuclear magnetic resonance, cryo-electron microscopy, or small-angle scattering techniques. The set of these techniques allows for collecting data that are then used to create a 3D molecular model.\n\nWhether in the experimentation phase, data collection, analysis, or molecular visualization, bioinformatics intervenes at all levels.\n\nBesides the reconstruction of macromolecules, this discipline also allows for <strong>the prediction of protein structures from the sequence of their elementary components (the amino acids)<\/strong>. This is even more important because the activity of each protein varies according to the shape it takes on. Being able to predict its shape thus allows predicting its effect, possible inhibitors, etc.\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"457\" src=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/04\/Bioinformatics_Liora1.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex is-content-justification-center\"><div class=\"wp-block-button \"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button \" href=\"\/en\/courses\/data-ai\/\">Register for one of our courses<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<h4>Network bioinformatics<\/h4>\nScientists study <strong>the interactions among all living elements<\/strong>, such as genes, proteins, cells, organisms, &#8230; From this analysis of genetic or metabolic flows, it is possible to model collective behaviors. To do this, once again it is necessary to rely on a series of data collected thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/data-analysis-definition-use-of-cases-and-tools\">Big Data analysis<\/a> techniques.\n\nNetwork bioinformatics allows, among other things, to build phylogenetic trees. In other words, a tree that establishes a link between species according to their genetic distances. Scientists then compare homologous genes to one another.\n\nThe set of these subdisciplines of bioinformatics allows for advancing science in a spectacular way.\n<h3>The importance of bioinformatics<\/h3>\nTo help you better understand the importance of bioinformatics, here are several concrete examples:\n<ul>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identifying epidemics: thanks to the two-dimensional structure of RNA molecules, it&#8217;s possible to identify the cause of potential epidemics and anticipate them.<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">Personalized therapeutic management: a better understanding of genetic diseases allows for a more specific response to the biological needs of the patient.<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">DNA microarrays: these are capable of spontaneously reforming DNA strands. When a patient suffers from a disease, it will be possible to extract these carrier DNA strands to better understand them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBetter medical diagnoses, discovery of new diseases, new drugs, creation of genetically modified organisms, simulation of organs, ecosystem modeling, development of scientific software, &#8230; bioinformatics solves a multitude of problems that were until now inaccessible.\n<h3>The future of computational biology<\/h3>\nBioinformatics follows the evolution of data and new technologies. As these develop, opportunities in computational biology will continue to grow.\n\nAnd to say the least, the modern world is always moving more in this direction.\n\nBioinformatics should then allow for solving increasingly large scientific problems, <strong>evolve medicine and life science as a whole<\/strong>.\n\nTo do this, organizations require competent bioinformaticians. However, these experts also need at the same time advanced scientific knowledge, but also advanced computer skills. On this latter point, you can start <a href=\"\/en\/courses\/data-ai\/\">training with Liora<\/a> to master all aspects of data analysis.\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"457\" src=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/04\/Bioinformatics_Liora2.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex is-content-justification-center\"><div class=\"wp-block-button \"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button \" href=\"\/en\/courses\/data-ai\/\">Start a course with Liora<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]&gt;a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} Among cells, genomes, biomolecules, &#8230; the world of science is of indescribable complexity. To better understand it, it&#8217;s important to get to know the ensemble of these elements. And although we are still far from knowing everything, scientists have made significant progress in recent years. Especially thanks to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":184362,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2433],"class_list":["post-184360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-data-ai"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=184360"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":205791,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184360\/revisions\/205791"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/184362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}