Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2. Databases
Prefoldin Chaperone, PDB entry 1FXK. Image produced with PDB Structure Explorer,
which is based on MolScript and Raster3D.
What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! In form,
and moving, how express and admirable! In action how like an angel! In
apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world! The paragon of animals! And
yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?
—
William Shakespeare,
Hamlet
Computers serve four interdependent functions in bioinformatics: communications, computation,
control, and storage. Embedded computer controllers in sequencing machines, fermentation tanks,
and bioreactors direct the programmable robotic arms that automate intricate processes and
markedly decrease the need for human operators. When time is of the essence, computer-controlled
devices are superior to manual operations, in part because they can operate virtually unattended
around the clock. Venter's company, Celera Genomics—followed by government-funded sequencing
laboratories—was able to make unprecedented gains in sequencing throughput primarily through
computer-directed robots that automated the tedious sequencing process.
