Bioinformatics Vs Structual Genomics

[Jikx]

There appears to be a conflicting interest here.. its not something that I would have realized, it is only because my lecturers have said it is so.. so it must be so! But as usual, there is scant explanations on why ..

From what I see, you need structual genomics to build the algorithms for bioinformatics programs (eg folding prediction) anyway!

or maybe I've missed the point entirely :shy:

 

[iansmith]

Fro my point view, both field are not conflicting. Bioinformatics deals with a lot of biological theories and models. Structural genomic is just dealing with determining the 3D structure of protein.

Strucutural genomic is required for bioinfo to improve the prediction tools. Usually, someone will determine the 3D strucuture of a protein. The protein will be decompose in a sequence of beta chain, alpha helix and turns. This sequence will then be put inside a databank. When 3D structure accumulates one can start to teach a computer how to predict the sequence pa beta chain, alpha helix and turns.

 

[ravenprp]

Bioinformatics and structural genomics are two closely related fields that both involve the analysis of genetic information. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct differences and serve different purposes in the field of genetics.

Bioinformatics is a field that focuses on the use of computational tools and algorithms to analyze and interpret biological data, particularly genetic data. This can include tasks such as genome sequencing, gene expression analysis, and protein structure prediction. The goal of bioinformatics is to use these tools to gain a better understanding of the genetic information and its functions.

On the other hand, structural genomics is more focused on the experimental determination of the three-dimensional structures of proteins and other biomolecules. This involves techniques such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine the structure of proteins. The goal of structural genomics is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structures and functions of all the proteins encoded by a genome.

So, while both bioinformatics and structural genomics involve the analysis of genetic information, they have different focuses and approaches. Bioinformatics utilizes computational tools and algorithms, while structural genomics involves experimental techniques. However, it is true that the two fields can complement each other, as structural genomics data can be used to inform and improve bioinformatics algorithms and predictions.

It is possible that your lecturers have mentioned a conflicting interest between bioinformatics and structural genomics because they are often seen as competing approaches to studying genetic information. Some may argue that bioinformatics is more cost-effective and efficient, while others may argue that structural genomics provides more accurate and reliable data. However, both fields have their own strengths and are important in advancing our understanding of genetics.

In conclusion, both bioinformatics and structural genomics are crucial in the field of genetics, and they should not be seen as conflicting interests. Rather, they should be seen as complementary approaches that can work together to provide a more comprehensive understanding of genetic information.