Computer applications in biomolecular sciences. Part 2: bioinformatics and genome projects

This article defines and describes some of the basics of bioinformatics and projects aimed at sequencing entire genomes. Emphasis is placed on some of the ways in which the primary structures of nucleic acids and proteins may be investigated and analysed to gain meaningful biological information using computers and appropriate software. The importance of the world wide net and access to it is given prominence, particularly in bioinformatics research and teaching.