GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  Definitions

Bioinformatics is conceptualizing Biology in terms of molecules (in the sense of Physical Chemistry) and applying "informatics techniques" (derived from disciplines such as applied mathematics, computer science and statistics) to understand and organize the information associated with these molecules, on a large scale. It explores new ways for approaching biological problems and aims at the comprehension of basic principles of Biology.

Bioinformatics interacts strongly with modern structural, molecular and environmental biology, as well as with pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. Nowadays, the field is rapidly developing worldwide; several important goals have already been accomplished, while large investments from various sources are continuously attracted. Bioinformatics occupies a central position in the recent developments of Life Sciences, with the most sound example being the analysis of data derived from all genome sequencing efforts, including the Human Genome Project.

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2. The need for Bioinformatics

The major advancements in Molecular and Structural Biology during the last decades, along with the development of large-scale genome technologies and the need to study complex biological systems, have led to the exponential growth of the biological information produced. There is an absolute necessity for tools and methodologies aiming to manage, control and analyse the amount of biological information available, in order to infer meaningful insights. As a direct consequence, a need has emerged to develop algorithms and computational tools, as well as to adapt existing technologies, in order to store, manipulate, analyse and display biological data.

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3. Fields of Study - Expertise Areas

Bioinformatics preexisted the burst of genomic, proteomic and population data, since it emerged in the early 1970s. Certain today's advancements are based on the foundations placed during that period. The wealth and diversity of the biological information available nowadays, gave a new boost in Bioinformatics research, which is now a part of the cutting-edge basic and applied biomedical research.

Recruitment of experts from several disciplines (Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry), aiming to apply mathematical and computational methods to analyse and model biological systems, has been a common paradigm in Bioinformatics. The continuously increasing complexity and diversion of the available data, calls for the contribution and collaboration of experts from with diverse backgrounds. Suitable training on the principles and methods of modern Bioinformatics is essential, so that they can face the increased challenges in research and production.

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4.  Programme Goals

Given the explosion in Biotechnology research (including, among others, Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Medicine) the Bioinformatics Postgraduate Programme aims to satisfy the need for high-quality training of young scientists, with the intention to enter the challenging field of Bioinformatics. The emergence of a critical mass of scientists with a foundation in Bioinformatics, should lead to the advancement of modern biological research in our country, in both academia and industry.