Where the Name "GOR" Originates: A Story

Area of Science:

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Structural Biology

Background:

• The GOR program, developed in 1978, utilizes information theory for protein secondary structure prediction.
• This early bioinformatics tool has remained in distribution since its inception.
• Its creation highlights the influence of scientific collaboration and technological advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and legacy of the GOR program for protein secondary structure prediction.
• To illustrate the impact of personal scientific endeavors, opportunities, and emerging technologies on bioinformatics tool development.

Main Methods:

• The GOR program employs the theory of information to predict secondary structures from amino acid sequences.
• Utilized computational methods prevalent in the late 1970s for sequence analysis.

Main Results:

• The GOR program successfully predicted protein secondary structures based on amino acid sequences.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of applying information theory to biological sequence analysis.

Conclusions:

• The GOR program's enduring availability showcases its foundational contribution to bioinformatics.
• The development narrative underscores the significance of intrinsic motivation and collaborative spirit in scientific innovation, independent of external funding.