Bioinformatics

What's the difference between Bioinformatics and Computational Biology?
Bioinformatics, apart from being an academic field, also has a somewhat more specific meaning in industry: it refers to technologies associated with extracting DNA and protein data. Computational Biology refers to a broader body of knowledge that includes bioinformatics as well as computational approaches that are in the research stages. We use the term bioinformatics in its broader, academic sense to mean both Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.

Why should students be interested?

• Bioinformatics is one of the hottest and fastest growing fields today. The ability to sequence DNA and understand the "DNA code" is revolutionizing biology and biomedical sciences, enabled by the sophisticated software to process large amounts of this biological information in new and interesting ways. This field is estimated to provide 20,000 jobs a year and expected to grow in the future.
• One of the most effective ways to become an attractive candidate for medical schools, graduate schools or employment in the biomedical sciences is to have completed a significant research project as part of undergraduate educatoin. Students with strong computational skills and a broad background in biology are in especially good position to make contributions to research projects.
• The fields of biology and medicine are undergoing profound change as more is known about DNA, genetics and molecular biology. Bioinformatics is fast becoming an essential tool for anyone in biomedical fields.
• Because the field combines Computer Science and Biology, students will have two sets of marketable skills.
• Bioinformatics and molecular biology have interesting and challenging career options for students all across the sciences including physics, chemistry and mathematics. Many fundamental questions need combinations of skills from these disciplines.
• Pre-med students ought to know how important molecular biology and bioinformatics are becoming in medicine. Generally, the National Academcy of Sciences has recommended a more quantitative emphasis in the undergraduate pre-med curricula.

Where can one find out more about Bioinformatics? Here are some websites that have introductory material:

• FAQ at www.bioinformatics.org, a non-profit organization of bioinformatics professionals. The FAQ has a nice overview of the field, definitions, suggestions for careers and more information.
• www.ncbi.nih.gov/Education - The education section of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, one of the premier providers of online Bioinformatics tools, has a nice section of their site devoted to bioinformatics education. Here you can get an overview of the field, browse tutorials, and even try out some of the tools.
• www.dnalc.org The Dolan DNA Learning Center has introductory material (click on "resources") especially written for high-school audiences.
• www.bioinformatics.gwu.edu - The George Washington University's website devoted to bioinformatics. The website has a list of frequently-asked questions with answers.