8.21—Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics uses databases and computational tools to compare DNA, RNA or protein sequences, predict relationships and identify patterns. The output depends on the input sequence, reference database and comparison method.

Check alignment quality, sequence length, conserved regions and the scoring or statistical assumptions before interpreting a match.

A high sequence similarity can support common ancestry or a shared function, while a low-quality or partial sequence may produce a misleading result.

A database hit is not proof of function or causation. Distinguish similarity, homology, prediction and experimental confirmation.