WHAT IS BIOINFORMATICS:

Bioinformatics is combination of biology, computer science and information technology.

Bioinformatics is becoming famous in information analysis and management in biology

and biotechnology.

Computational modeling and analysis is now an integral part of biological discoveries.

Bioinformatics combines the tools and techniques of mathematics, computer science and
biology so that one should understand the biological significance of data.

AREAS OF BIOINFORMATICS:

Some of the main areas of bioinformatics are data-mining and analysis for genome
projects, protein-structure prediction, systems biology and developing computer
databases and algorithms for biological research. Those who have a basic knowledge of
mathematics, chemistry and computer science and an aptitude for biology can specialise
in bioinformatics. The aspirants should have an analytical mind and scientific aptitude.

Bioinformatics now entails the creation and advancement of databases, algorithms,

computational and statistical techniques and theory to solve formal and practical
problems arising from the management and analysis of biological data.

Over the past few decades rapid developments in genomic and other molecular research
technologies and developments in information technologies have combined to produce a
tremendous amount of information related to molecular biology. It is the name given to
these mathematical and computing approaches used to glean understanding of biological
processes.

Common activities in bioinformatics include mapping and analyzing DNA and protein
sequences, aligning different DNA and protein sequences to compare them and creating
and viewing 3-D models of protein structures.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

The primary goal of bioinformatics is to increase the understanding of biological

processes. What sets it apart from other approaches, however, is its focus on developing
and applying computationally intensive techniques (e.g., pattern recognition, data mining,
machine learning algorithms, and visualization) to achieve this goal. Major research
efforts in the field include sequence alignment, gene finding, genome assembly, drug
design, drug discovery, protein structure alignment, protein structure prediction,
prediction of gene expression and protein-protein interactions, genome-wide association
studies and the modeling of evolution.
MAJOR USE IN AGRCULTURE

Agri Informatics specialise in a GIS (Geographical Information System) based analysis

of the complex interaction between the environment and crops. Simple maps of the farm
are used to draw a detailed analysis of the micro climate. Ideal block borders are drawn
according to a variety of critical variables. A soil map can also be drawn up, describing
soil qualities such as the acidity level, clay content, water retention ability and depth. The
result is a map that shows the ideal block design, row alignment, root stock, cultivar,
plant spacing and trellis system. The suggested irrigation system is then presented to an
irrigation engineer. The meso-climate of the farm is also compared to other wine regions,
locally and internationally. These analyses form the basis of precision viticulture. Arial
photography or satellite images can also be incorporated in the system. Users can recall
any GPS coordinate on the farm with the click of a mouse, ensuring that observations in
vineyards can easily be brought in connection with the terroir factors. One of the many
advantages is that the performance of vines can be corrected. This means that top quality
grapes from a specific vineyard can be identified to make specific wines - a possibility
gaining new meaning in the light of legalising vineyard wines according to the Wine of
Origen system. The cost of such an analysis amount to a fee less than the development
cost of a quarter hectare, according to Knight.

REFERENCES
 :http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Uses_of_Bioinformatics_in_agriculture
 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16208716
 http://www.google.com.pk/url?
sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fabe.leeward.hawaii.edu
%2FSummer07%2FKentBioinformatics.ppt&rct=j&q=uses%20of
%20bioinformatics&ei=rydtTcyNEYbLrQeP7tT7Bg&usg=AFQjCNGNziEPgY1
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