Computational Biology is the life science of today!
“Computational Biology”, “Bioinformatics”, “Genomics” have become the buzz words of current life science research. Any life science researcher would agree to this!
In simple terms, these refer to the research methodology in which computers and computational tools are used to decipher biological coding. While computational biology is a more generalized approach, genomics is somewhat more intense and concentrated in genomic sequences like DNA and RNA.
With the incorporation of these subjects, life science research has witnessed a major turn over since the last few decades. It seems to have catalyzed the ever slow typical wet-lab experimental approach in a much smarter way.
Computational Biology along with its allies have made the long cherished envisage of biology scientists, come true! There’s no more drooling over a hypothesized experiment. No more argument on the presumed facts. Life science has become so transparent!
Let apart, these text book definitions and descriptions, what are the important things to know regarding these subjects? Apart from these monotonous, stereotypical definitions, how can one convince a novice to make a full time career in Computational Biology?
When should one start looking for this career alternative?
At the earliest! If you really wish to make it your career, the earlier is the better. A number of educational sectors have begun offering graduation, post graduation, post graduation diploma and certificate courses in these subjects. Therefore it won’t be difficult to hunt for the best college/ university and get enrolled in it.
What is it like to be a computational biologist?
A jack of all trades; and a Master of both- computer and biology! For being a bioinformatics specialist, you need to learn computer science and biology- from basic to core. Learning through this amalgamated subject will then be easier, when you have a penchant of keyboards as well as Petri-dishes.
Which are the courses a biologist should consider?
Along with hard core biology, one has to be perfect in programming and mathematics as well. Most of the software runs on open platform like LINUX. One should also learn any one of the programming languages like C++, JAVA, Perl, Python, etc.
Which are the courses a computer science enthusiast should consider?
MoBi- Molecular Biology! The heart of life science research! This is the only research wing, which is desperately looking for expert researchers. Utterly mysterious with a plethora of excitement, molecular biology research wing of life science is one of the most prospective platforms for computational biologists.
How prospective is the career?
If it hadn't been prospective, we wouldn't have discussed so far! It is indeed a prospective career alternative to the core biology subjects like botany and zoology. But for making a lucrative job profile, you need to build up enthusiasm, a keen interest to explore more about new software and keep yourself abreast with the recent happenings in this sector.
“Computational Biology”, “Bioinformatics”, “Genomics” have become the buzz words of current life science research. Any life science researcher would agree to this!
In simple terms, these refer to the research methodology in which computers and computational tools are used to decipher biological coding. While computational biology is a more generalized approach, genomics is somewhat more intense and concentrated in genomic sequences like DNA and RNA.
With the incorporation of these subjects, life science research has witnessed a major turn over since the last few decades. It seems to have catalyzed the ever slow typical wet-lab experimental approach in a much smarter way.
Computational Biology along with its allies have made the long cherished envisage of biology scientists, come true! There’s no more drooling over a hypothesized experiment. No more argument on the presumed facts. Life science has become so transparent!
Let apart, these text book definitions and descriptions, what are the important things to know regarding these subjects? Apart from these monotonous, stereotypical definitions, how can one convince a novice to make a full time career in Computational Biology?
When should one start looking for this career alternative?
At the earliest! If you really wish to make it your career, the earlier is the better. A number of educational sectors have begun offering graduation, post graduation, post graduation diploma and certificate courses in these subjects. Therefore it won’t be difficult to hunt for the best college/ university and get enrolled in it.
What is it like to be a computational biologist?
A jack of all trades; and a Master of both- computer and biology! For being a bioinformatics specialist, you need to learn computer science and biology- from basic to core. Learning through this amalgamated subject will then be easier, when you have a penchant of keyboards as well as Petri-dishes.
Which are the courses a biologist should consider?
Along with hard core biology, one has to be perfect in programming and mathematics as well. Most of the software runs on open platform like LINUX. One should also learn any one of the programming languages like C++, JAVA, Perl, Python, etc.
Which are the courses a computer science enthusiast should consider?
MoBi- Molecular Biology! The heart of life science research! This is the only research wing, which is desperately looking for expert researchers. Utterly mysterious with a plethora of excitement, molecular biology research wing of life science is one of the most prospective platforms for computational biologists.
How prospective is the career?
If it hadn't been prospective, we wouldn't have discussed so far! It is indeed a prospective career alternative to the core biology subjects like botany and zoology. But for making a lucrative job profile, you need to build up enthusiasm, a keen interest to explore more about new software and keep yourself abreast with the recent happenings in this sector.