From metaphor to practices: The introduction of "information engineers" into the first DNA sequence database

Area of Science:

• History of Science
• Molecular Biology
• Information Science

Background:

• Explores the integration of professional systems engineers and information management practices.
• Focuses on the first centralized DNA sequence database at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in the 1980s.
• Complements literature on the post-WWII emergence of information discourse and its influence on biological research.

Observation:

• Analyzes the careers of database creators and their computer algorithms from the mid-1960s.
• Documents the shift of biological information from a pervasive metaphor to embodied practices and professionals.
• Investigates the reception of database professionals by EMBL biological staff, moving from disregard to collaboration.

Findings:

• The establishment of the EMBL DNA sequence database marked a pivotal moment in professionalizing information management in biology.
• The complexity of DNA, gene, and protein relationships necessitated collaboration between biologists and database professionals.
• The careers of these professionals highlight the evolution of biological information from abstract concept to practical application.

Implications:

• Suggests that the historiography of genomics should prioritize long-standing post-WWII practices originating outside traditional biomedicine and academia.
• Highlights the foundational role of information management practices in the development of fields like bioinformatics and biotechnology.
• Underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing biological research and data management.