uses of DNA sequencing

Question 1

what is bioinformatics

Answer 1

• using computer software to analyse biological data
• algorithms, statistical tests and models
• makes analysis of huge amounts of data more useful

Question 2

what is computational biology

Answer 2

• uses info from bioinformatics to make a computer model of scenarios
• eg predicting 3D structures of proteins
• how organisms are related to each other in terms of evolutionary terms

Question 3

genome wide comparisons

Answer 3

currently looking for faster and cheaper means of producing whole genome sequences

Question 4

human genome project

Answer 4

• comparisons of sequences led to knowledge on DNA sequences involved in genetic diseases
• usually complex and controlled by multiple genes and other physiological risk factors

Question 5

analysing pathogen genomes

Answer 5

• identify sources of infection
• identify resistant strains of bacteria
• track progress and mutations of pathogens
• identify areas of genome that provide new drugs and vaccines against pathogens

Question 6

DNA barcoding

Answer 6

• identifies new species
• makes it cheaper and faster by looking at the mitochondrial DNA which codes for cytochrome C oxidase and this differs in each species
• decide if something is a new species