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Alomair L, Abolfotouh MA. Awareness and Predictors of the Use of Bioinformatics in Genome Research in Saudi Arabia. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:3413-3425. [PMID: 37587979 PMCID: PMC10426440 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s421815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the advances in genomics research, many countries still need more bioinformatics skills. This study aimed to assess the levels of awareness of bioinformatics and predictors of its use in genomics research among scientists in Saudi Arabia. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, 309 scientists of different biological and biomedical specialties were subjected to a previously validated e-questionnaire to collect data on (1) Knowledge about bioinformatics programming languages and tools, (2) Attitude toward acceptance of bioinformatics resources in genome-related research, and (3) The pattern of information-seeking to online bioinformatics resources. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the predictors of using bioinformatics in research. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results More than one-half (248, 56.4%) of all scientists reported a lack of bioinformatics knowledge. Most participants had a neutral attitude toward bioinformatics (295, 95.4%). The barriers facing acceptance of bioinformatics tools reported were; lack of training (210, 67.9%), insufficient support (180, 58.2%), and complexity of software (138, 44.6%). The limited experience was reported in; having one or more bioinformatics tools (98, 31.7%), using a supercomputer in their research inside (44, 14.2%) and outside Saudi Arabia (55, 17.8%), the need for developing a program to solve a biological problem (129, 41.7%), working in one or more fields of bioinformatics (93, 30.1%), using web applications (112, 36.2%), and using programming languages (102, 33.0%). Significant predictors of conducting genomics research were; younger scientists (p=0.039), Ph.D. education (p=0.003), more than five years of experience (p<0.05), previous training (p<0.001), and higher bioinformatics knowledge scores (p<0.001). Conclusion The study revealed a short knowledge, a neutral attitude, a lack of resources, and limited use of bioinformatics resources in genomics research. Education and training during each education level and during the job is recommended. Cloud-based resources may help scientists do research using publicly available Omics data. Further studies are necessary to evaluate collaboration among bioinformatics software developers and biologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamya Alomair
- AI and Bioinformatics Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mostafa A Abolfotouh
- King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Research Training and Development Section, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Madhavan M, Mustafa S. Systems biology–the transformative approach to integrate sciences across disciplines. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2021-0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Life science is the study of living organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals. Given the importance of biology, chemistry, and bioinformatics, we anticipate that this chapter may contribute to a better understanding of the interdisciplinary connections in life science. Research in applied biological sciences has changed the paradigm of basic and applied research. Biology is the study of life and living organisms, whereas science is a dynamic subject that as a result of constant research, new fields are constantly emerging. Some fields come and go, whereas others develop into new, well-recognized entities. Chemistry is the study of composition of matter and its properties, how the substances merge or separate and also how substances interact with energy. Advances in biology and chemistry provide another means to understand the biological system using many interdisciplinary approaches. Bioinformatics is a multidisciplinary or rather transdisciplinary field that encourages the use of computer tools and methodologies for qualitative and quantitative analysis. There are many instances where two fields, biology and chemistry have intersection. In this chapter, we explain how current knowledge in biology, chemistry, and bioinformatics, as well as its various interdisciplinary domains are merged into life sciences and its applications in biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Madhavan
- Department of Biochemistry , Government College for Women , Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala , India
| | - Sabeena Mustafa
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics , King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA) , Riyadh , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
The way in which computer code is perceived and used in biological research has been a source of some controversy and confusion, and has resulted in sub-optimal outcomes related to reproducibility, scalability and productivity. We suggest that the confusion is due in part to a misunderstanding of the function of code when applied to the life sciences. Code has many roles, and in this paper we present a three-dimensional taxonomy to classify those roles and map them specifically to the life sciences. We identify a "sweet spot" in the taxonomy-a convergence where bioinformaticians should concentrate their efforts in order to derive the most value from the time they spend using code. We suggest the use of the "inverse Conway maneuver" to shape a research team so as to allow dedicated software engineers to interface with researchers working in this "sweet spot." We conclude that in order to address current issues in the use of software in life science research such as reproducibility and scalability, the field must reevaluate its relationship with software engineering, and adapt its research structures to overcome current issues in bioinformatics such as reproducibility, scalability and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Lawlor
- Department of Computer Science, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | - Roy D Sleator
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
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Chasapi A, Aivaliotis M, Angelis L, Chanalaris A, Iliopoulos I, Kappas I, Karapiperis C, Kyrpides NC, Pafilis E, Panteris E, Topalis P, Tsiamis G, Vizirianakis IS, Vlassi M, Promponas VJ, Ouzounis CA. Establishment of computational biology in Greece and Cyprus: Past, present, and future. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1007532. [PMID: 31856214 PMCID: PMC6922331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Chasapi
- Biological Computation & Process Lab, Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, Thessalonica, Greece
| | - Michalis Aivaliotis
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalonica, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Lefteris Angelis
- School of Informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalonica, Greece
| | - Anastasios Chanalaris
- Botnar Research Centre, NDORMS, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ioannis Iliopoulos
- Division of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ilias Kappas
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalonica, Greece
| | - Christos Karapiperis
- School of Informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalonica, Greece
| | - Nikos C. Kyrpides
- Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, United States of America
| | - Evangelos Pafilis
- Institute of Marine Biology Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Panteris
- First Psychiatric Clinic, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalonica, Greece
| | - Pantelis Topalis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Tsiamis
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Ioannis S. Vizirianakis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalonica, Greece
| | - Metaxia Vlassi
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilis J. Promponas
- Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- * E-mail: (VJP); (CAO)
| | - Christos A. Ouzounis
- Biological Computation & Process Lab, Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, Thessalonica, Greece
- * E-mail: (VJP); (CAO)
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Abstract
Background Bioinformatics has multitudinous identities, organisational alignments and disciplinary links. This variety allows bioinformaticians and bioinformatic work to contribute to much (if not most) of life science research in profound ways. The multitude of bioinformatic work also translates into a multitude of credit-distribution arrangements, apparently dismissing that work. Results We report on the epistemic and social arrangements that characterise the relationship between bioinformatics and life science. We describe, in sociological terms, the character, power and future of bioinformatic work. The character of bioinformatic work is such that its cultural, institutional and technical structures allow for it to be black-boxed easily. The result is that bioinformatic expertise and contributions travel easily and quickly, yet remain largely uncredited. The power of bioinformatic work is shaped by its dependency on life science work, which combined with the black-boxed character of bioinformatic expertise further contributes to situating bioinformatics on the periphery of the life sciences. Finally, the imagined futures of bioinformatic work suggest that bioinformatics will become ever more indispensable without necessarily becoming more visible, forcing bioinformaticians into difficult professional and career choices. Conclusions Bioinformatic expertise and labour is epistemically central but often institutionally peripheral. In part, this is a result of the ways in which the character, power distribution and potential futures of bioinformatics are constituted. However, alternative paths can be imagined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Bartlett
- Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, Elmfield, Northumberland Road, Sheffield, S10 2TU, UK.
| | - Bart Penders
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Care and Public Health Research Institute (Caphri), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, Maastricht, 6200MD, the Netherlands
| | - Jamie Lewis
- School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WT, UK
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Penders B. The Value of Vagueness in the Politics of Authorship. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2017; 14:13-15. [PMID: 28039599 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-016-9768-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bart Penders
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, School of Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, NL-6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Bartlett A, Lewis J, Williams ML. Generations of interdisciplinarity in bioinformatics. NEW GENETICS AND SOCIETY 2016; 35:186-209. [PMID: 27453689 PMCID: PMC4940887 DOI: 10.1080/14636778.2016.1184965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Bioinformatics, a specialism propelled into relevance by the Human Genome Project and the subsequent -omic turn in the life science, is an interdisciplinary field of research. Qualitative work on the disciplinary identities of bioinformaticians has revealed the tensions involved in work in this "borderland." As part of our ongoing work on the emergence of bioinformatics, between 2010 and 2011, we conducted a survey of United Kingdom-based academic bioinformaticians. Building on insights drawn from our fieldwork over the past decade, we present results from this survey relevant to a discussion of disciplinary generation and stabilization. Not only is there evidence of an attitudinal divide between the different disciplinary cultures that make up bioinformatics, but there are distinctions between the forerunners, founders and the followers; as inter/disciplines mature, they face challenges that are both inter-disciplinary and inter-generational in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Bartlett
- School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII, CardiffCF10 3WT, UK
| | - Jamie Lewis
- School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII, CardiffCF10 3WT, UK
| | - Matthew L. Williams
- School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII, CardiffCF10 3WT, UK
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