Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the understanding and effective use of biological data. In other words, it helps to convert “big data” into “smart data” or knowledge. Computing has become a central component of modern scientific research: large volumes of data (“big data”) are generated by increasingly automated measuring devices. These data need to be stored, organized and analysed to extract new insights and knowledge. Because new discoveries often reveal their relevance when they are compared with the already available knowledge, extensive comparison with large datasets is a great advantage. In addition, computational simulation has become a third pillar of science – along with experimentation and theory – allowing researchers to advance their understanding of complex systems in silico. Continue reading on Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics
