One of the easiest ways to learn more about bioinformatics is to read books about the field. One book suggestion is Introduction to Bioinformatics, by Arthur Lesk. The National Human Genome Research Institute offers comprehensive information about bioinformatics on its Web site, https://www.genome.gov/25019999/understanding-bioinformatics-and-sequencing. The Web sites of professional associations are also good resources. Visit the Biotechnology Institutes Biotechnology Careers page on its Web site, http://www.biotechinstitute.org, for information about careers and biotechnology facts. The renowned journal Nature also has a useful page about bioinformatics at https://www.nature.com/collections/jcegiabbfg. Join science and computer clubs at school. Talk to a bioinformatics specialist about his or her career. Ask the following questions: What made you want to enter this career? What are your main and secondary job duties? What do you like least and most about your job? How did you train for this field? What advice would you give young people who are interested in the field? Try to job-shadow a bioinformatics specialist to learn more about a typical day on the job is like for them, and the tools and equipment that they use to do their work.

Bioinformatics is used to develop new ways to study, diagnose, and treat genetic diseases such as muscular dystrophy, family-linked cancers, and Huntington’s disease. It is also used to help reduce the time it takes to develop new drugs (such as those that fight AIDS) and in many other medical applications. Bioinformatics specialists work closely with software developers, hardware engineers, and molecular biologists to develop new genome analysis systems.

To conduct research, bioinformatics specialists develop complicated mathematical formulas called algorithms and use machine learning and generative AI to gather and analyze biological and biochemical data such as nucleotide and amino acid sequences, protein structures, and protein domains. These techniques allow them to identify major risk factors for cancer, lung disease, and heart disease. They can also be used to determine the role environmental factors such as tobacco smoke or pollutants have on overall human health.

Bioinformatics specialists may be scientists themselves, or they may have more computer-oriented backgrounds and receive requests for assistance from scientists who need technological tools to analyze data.

Bioinformatics specialists have other duties. They publish new bioinformatics results in scientific journals or present them at industry conferences; manage public and private databases to ensure that they are accurate and functioning correctly; conduct scientific presentations to coworkers, government officials, and potential financial donors; prepare reports for managers regarding their findings; and manage staff such as bioinformatics technicians. They also stay up to date regarding current hardware and software developments by attending seminars, workshops, and conferences, and by taking Web-based courses.