Bioinformatics — Mining the genome for information

Abstract

Since the launching of the human genome sequencing project in the 1990s, genomic research has already achieved definite results. At the beginning of the present century, the complete genomes of several model organisms have already been sequenced, including a number of prokaryote microorganisms and the eukaryotes yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), nematode (C. elegans), fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) as well as the major part of the human genome. These achievements signified that a new era of data mining and analysis on the human genome had commenced. The language of human genetics would gradually be read and understood, and the genetic information underlying metabolism, development, differentiation and evolution would progressively become known to mankind. Large amounts of data are already accumulating, but at present many of the rules that should guide the understanding of this information are yet unknown. Bioinformatics research is thus not only becoming more important, but is also faced with severe challenges as well as great opportunities.