Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is an emerging branch of biological science that emerged from the combination of both biology and information technology. It is an interdisciplinary field of study that uses Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science that have merged to form a single discipline. This sector is mainly involved in analyzing biological data, and developing new software using biological tools.

According to the NCBI- National Center for Biotechnology Information, the branch of NLM- National Library of Medicine and NIH- National Institutes of Health, Bioinformatics is defined as the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, recovery, storage and visualization of all biological information using computation technology.

The term Bioinformatics was first coined in the year 1960 by the two Dutch biologists named Paulien Hogeweg and Ben Hesper. According to their research and discoveries, Bioinformatics was defined as the study of information processes in biotic systems.

Application of Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is mainly used to extract knowledge from biological data through the development of algorithms and software.

Bioinformatics is widely applied in the examination of Genomics, Proteomics, 3D structure modelling of Proteins, Image analysis, Drug designing and a lot more. A significant application of bioinformatics can be found in the fields of precision and preventive medicines, which are mainly focused on developing measures to prevent, control and cure dreadful infectious diseases.

The main aim of Bioinformatics is to increase the understanding of biological processes.

Listed below are a few applications of Bioinformatics.

• In Gene therapy.
• In Evolutionary studies.
• In Microbial applications.
• In Prediction of Protein Structure.
• For the Storage and Retrieval of Data.
• In the field of medicine, used in the discovery of new drugs.
• In Biometrical Analysis for identification and access control for improvising crop management, crop production and pest control.

Principles of Biotechnology

Modern biotechnology is highly dependent on genetic engineering and bioprocess engineering.

Genetic Engineering

The principle of genetic engineering is to manipulate and modify the genetic material of an organism to incorporate desirable traits. Recombinant DNA technology is the main pillar of genetic engineering.

Recombinant DNA Technology is a technique to alter the genes of an organism. The desired gene is inserted into host using recombinant DNA technology. The host shows the desired trait phenotypically, which is governed by the inserted gene.

The recombinant DNA technology involves the following main steps:

• Selection of the desired gene
• Selection of vector for the transfer of the gene known as a cloning vector, e.g. plasmid
• Insertion of recombinant DNA into the host
• Maintaining the introduced DNA in the host so that it is passed on to the next generation
• Recombinant DNA Technology requires various tools like vector, host and enzymes such as restriction enzymes, ligases, polymerases, etc.

Process

• Restriction enzymes are known as molecular scissors that cut the desired sequence of DNA.
• This DNA is then ligated into the vector with the help of ligases before inserting it into the host organism.
• The DNA-vector combination is known as the Recombinant DNA which is then transformed into the host.
• This recombinant DNA along with the foreign DNA gets multiplied within the host.
• It is then provided with optimum conditions to induce the expression of the target protein. This protein is known as the recombinant protein.
• Many genetically modified crops are produced using this technology, e.g. Bt cotton, a pest-resistant variety of cotton.

Bioprocess Engineering

Modern biotechnology is responsible for the advancement of the pharmaceutical industry. It helped in the production and storage of products like antibiotics, enzymes, vaccines, etc. on a large scale.

A large amount of culture can be obtained by carrying out the multiplication of organisms in the bioreactors under sterile and optimum conditions. We get a higher yield of the required product using bioprocess engineering.

Process

• The host organism containing the rDNA is cultured in a sterile bioreactor by providing suitable growth conditions. The products formed are either released in the growth medium or accumulated inside the cells
• The obtained products are subjected to a series of processes before being marketed.
• The products are purified by a process called downstream processing and formulated by various processes.
• The product undergoes a strict quality check before it is subjected to further trials.
• The modern processes in biotechnology are used for human welfare and have a significant impact on our life. The products have greatly enhanced various medicines and food production. Extensive research is going on in this field to combat various diseases and improve quality of life.