| Bioinformatics in Future Medical Care | | | | 3. Bioinformatics in Gene Therapy: Gene therapy |
| Dr.T.V.Rao MD | | | | suffered with many problems in the past will have a |
| Professor of Microbiology | | | | greater revival with better understanding of human |
| Bioinformatics is emerging science which incorporates | | | | genome. Many Gene therapy trails will become virtual |
| information technology applied in biological research to | | | | realities. |
| store, collect and retrieve biologically oriented data, to | | | | 4. Drugs for Future: At present we use several drugs |
| analyze and predict the composition of molecules | | | | with a broad understanding to target only 500 |
| (nucleic acids, proteins, etc ) and to model biological | | | | proteins in the body, out of the 30,000 proteins |
| systems through mathematical, statistical and | | | | already known, with advances in Genomic Medicine |
| computer methods. It brings together the fields of | | | | there will be more rational approach in drug discovery |
| Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Bio Technology and | | | | and clinical application. In future it is possible to target |
| Genetics under the fold of computers and software | | | | the diseases like Diabetes and Cancer before the |
| advances. Thanks to James Watson - Crick in basic | | | | onset of physical disease (phenotypic expression). |
| understanding of the Bacterial DNA (genome), which | | | | The scientific visions include interfering with the sick |
| lead to the basis of coding Chromosomes through | | | | cell, sparing the healthy cells, making the therapy |
| the Super Computers. The Bioinformatics is changing | | | | least toxic and harmful. The discovery in this direction |
| the entire concept on gene. In future we may be | | | | lead to discovery of Monoclonal antibodies, choosing |
| compelled to view life and disease through the | | | | the particular receptor on the cancer cell responsible |
| Chemistry of Genes. | | | | for propagation of disease. With better understanding |
| 1. Computer Speaks on Bio information: With feeding | | | | on Bioinformatics Anti Cancer Drug discoveries will be |
| of complicated information to a computer it analyses | | | | target oriented with least toxic effects on normal |
| the facts, it even speaks that life is a pack of | | | | cells. The following diseases are being targeted by |
| information with a clear message that book of the | | | | many drug firms with Bioinformatics include: AIDS, |
| life written in the complex DNA consisting of four | | | | Mental Illnesses, Auto Immune Disease, Obesity, |
| letters. A.T.G. C. In future science expects that | | | | Alzheimer’s disease, Heart Disease and |
| Physician can solve many mysteries of disease just | | | | Parkinson’s disease. |
| looking into a computer and the greatest advantage | | | | Role of Bioinformatics - in the future Medical care. |
| lies in detection of most of the Genetic disorders. In | | | | The art of Medicine will be enriched with biology as |
| future many diagnostic tests may be done by Bio | | | | source of future developments in Medicine in the |
| informed computers, the chip locating abnormal base | | | | near future, every standard text book on Medicine, |
| pairs at different gene locations. | | | | articles, journals published from reputed medical |
| 2. Bioinformatics and Proteomics: The knowledge of | | | | institutions emphasize the origin of disease on Genetic |
| information about the Genes and Science of | | | | basis locating, few base pairs of Genes responsible |
| Genomics lead to science of proteomics which | | | | for any complicated disease. The treatment |
| analyses every protein in human functional dynamics. | | | | approaches will be on targets of pathological process |
| The science of proteomics will revolutionise the | | | | rather than vague remedies, the need for |
| understanding of Hormones, Immunoglobulins | | | | Bioinformatics capabilities has been highlighted by |
| targeting infections and Enzymes that build or break | | | | availability of Genomic information from Human |
| energy reserves. We are aware now, that there are | | | | genome project. Let there be more workshops, |
| too, many proteins which guide our life (50,000 to | | | | CME’s & Seminars on orientation of |
| about 2 millions). But few Proteins play the real | | | | Bioinformatics and Biomedicine to our Doctors. We |
| orchestra, modifying different actions in day to day | | | | teachers in medicine should put our best efforts in |
| life. Already many Bio Technology firms have started | | | | understanding the role of Genes in disease and |
| proteomics programme, if the events succeed to | | | | spread the message to our students, so that we do |
| desired expectations there will be better quality of | | | | not remain isolated from the progress of Science for |
| life serving to minute details. | | | | human benefit. |