Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Convergence
From the previous discussions, it should be no surprise that the co-evolution of computer science and
molecular biology has led to the current state where bioinformatics and computer science are
inextricably linked. In this regard, the primary roles of computers in bioinformatics are to serve as
controllers, information archives, asynchronous communications devices, and numerical processors.
To highlight the part technology plays in molecular biology research—these roles—consider the
prototypical DNA sequencing process, depicted in
Figure 1-11
.
Figure 1-11. Automated Gene Sequencing.
