Bioinformatics and Beyond: September 2024

Welcome to the September Bioinformatics and Beyond newsletter!

In this edition we are going to take a look at the impact of bioinformatics in healthcare, as it plays a vital role.

Every day, researchers around the world work to uncover new insights about the human body, and to develop new treatments for our diseases and health conditions. Such research produces vast amounts of data. Bioinformatic analyses are needed to make sense of that data and pinpoint the insights that lead to research breakthroughs.

The impact that bioinformatics has already had on human healthcare is immeasurable. In fact, just the impact one project that was supported by bioinformatics has had is immeasurable. That project is The Human Genome Project.

The Human Genome Project

Bioinformatics played a crucial part in the completion of The Human Genome Project, which relied on bioinformatics to sequence and analyse the entire human genome. Thanks to the project, we now have a complete map of the human genetic code, which is a huge milestone for life science and healthcare. Since its completion in 2003, The Human Genome project has had a profound impact on healthcare. Some of the research areas it has helped to advance are detailed below, along with other research areas supported by bioinformatics.

Genetic Disease Research

The Human Genome Project has significantly enhanced our understanding of the genetic foundations of diseases. This progress has led to the identification of many disease-related genes and potential therapeutic targets. Therefore this is one way that bioinformatics has helped drive advancements in drug discovery, contributing to improvements in healthcare.

Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics, the study of how a person’s genes influence their response to medications, has also seen substantial benefits. The Human Genome Project has enabled the development of drugs that are more effective and have fewer side effects, by tailoring them to an individual’s genetic profile. So, thanks to the important role bioinformatics played in the Human Genome Project, we are seeing significant improvements in individual healthcare.

I could go on and on about the ways that The Human Genome Project, and therefore bioinformatics, have impacted healthcare, but the above examples give a good enough idea of the far-reaching impact that the project has had and continues to have. So, let's take a look at some other ways that bioinformatics benefits healthcare.

Microbiome Research

Bioinformatics plays a crucial role in studying the human microbiome. It was heavily utilised in the Human Microbiome Project to analyse the microbial communities in our bodies. This research is important for healthcare because it explores how the microorganisms living in and on us affect our health. For example, imbalances in the microbiome have been linked to various health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, and even mental health problems.

Functional Genomics and Proteomics

As bioinformatics helps us to understand the function of genes and proteins, it allows us to gain insights that improve healthcare. For example, bioinformatics was key in identifying the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are linked to a higher risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Because of this discovery, genetic tests are now available to detect mutations in these genes. These tests enable individuals with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer to assess their risk and make more informed decisions about preventive measures.

Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance

Bioinformatics plays a vital role in disease surveillance by enabling the analysis and interpretation of biological data, including genomic, clinical, and epidemiological information. This allows for pathogen identification and tracking, epidemiological analysis, vaccine development, and the genomic monitoring of drug resistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, bioinformatics was essential in tracking the transmission and evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Nextstrain project, a bioinformatics platform which tracks the virus’s genetic variations, is an example of this.

Although the above examples barely scratch the surface of the impact that bioinformatics has had on healthcare, they illustrate that bioinformatics has already played a vital role in many healthcare advances and it will certainly continue to do so.

If you would like bioinformatics support to unlock the insights in your data that could lead to research breakthroughs, contact Fios Genomics and we will be happy to help!

Well, that's the end of the September edition, but I'll share an interesting fact before I go. Did you know that Octopuses can edit their RNA? In a study published in Cell last year, researchers found that California two-spot octopuses alter their RNA to change the proteins that their cells make, when exposed to cold temperatures.

Thanks for reading!

-Breige McBride,?Marketing Manager, Fios Genomics