Читать книгу Bioinformatics - Группа авторов - Страница 40

As alluded to in the introduction to this chapter, the information space available to investigators will continue to expand at breakneck speed, with the size of GenBank alone doubling every year. Although the sheer magnitude of data can present a conundrum to the inexperienced user, mastery of the techniques covered in this chapter will allow researchers in all biological disciplines to make the best use of these data. The movement of modern science to “big data” approaches underscores the idea that both laboratory and computationally based strategies will be necessary in carrying out cutting-edge research. In the same way that investigators are trained in, for example, basic biochemistry and molecular biology methodologies, a basic understanding of bioinformatic techniques as part of the biologist's arsenal will be indispensable in the future. As is undoubtedly apparent at this point, there is no substitute for placing one's hands on the computer keyboard to learn how to search and use genomic sequence data effectively. Readers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the resources presented here, to grow in confidence and capability by working with the available tools, and to begin to apply bioinformatic methods and strategies toward advancing their own research interests.