For Immediate Release
Contact:
John M. Martino
Phone Number: (215) 895-1186
Date: 01/10/01
The
Future Of Science Is Here Bioinformatics
has been described as "the future of the life sciences" and one of the
key scientific disciplines of the new century.
This emerging field combines molecular biology, genomics, computer
programming and mathematics to answer fundamental questions concerning
how genetic information influences biological function. This relatively new
discipline of science has generated many opportunities for aspiring medical,
healthcare and basic science professionals.
The information revolution that is now sweeping across society
will be particularly important in the health sciences as new tools for
medical diagnosis and treatment move from the research laboratory to the
hospital clinic and physician's office.
This
is the beginning of a revolution in the way we process biological information,"
said Dr. James Pierce, assistant professor of genetics and biotechnology
at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP).
"It is changing medical science and helping [scientists and physicians]
evaluate health and diagnose diseases more quickly and accurately.
Physicians need to be familiar with the tools and concepts of bioinformatics.
If they are calling the shots and directing a patient's therapy,
they need to understand the various genetic tests that are available to
acquire diagnostic information. Physicians will be using bioinformatics
to choose individualized drug therapies, counsel patients about genetic
risks and even treat their patients with gene therapy in the not-to-distant
future. This is the medicine
of the 21st century - the era of molecular medicine."
USP
has recognized the rapid change in the health and life sciences and has
instituted a new curriculum in Bioinformatics leading to Bachelor of Science
and Master of Science degrees. USP
is one of the first universities in the country to offer a bioinformatics
degree at the undergraduate level.
Bioinformatics specialists are already in great demand, and the
rapid growth of the profession is expected to continue. Frost & Sullivan, a Calif. consulting firm, has predicted
a growth rate of 10 percent annually in the bioinformatics market, and
the National Science Foundation estimates that 20,000 bioinformatics workers
will be needed by 2005. Research
being performed on the human genome project has created specific careers
such as DNA sequencing technician/analysts, genomic database managers,
bioinformatic programmers and genomic data miners that require significant
bioinformatic knowledge. According to Dr. Pierce, physicians of the future
will need to have significant training (or even a degree) in bioinformatics
to productively use all of the new technology that promises to revolutionize
health care in the coming decades."
It
doesn't matter what career in healthcare or in the life sciences you will
be pursuing, studying bioinformatics will provide a great intellectual
and technical background," says Dr. Pierce.
"Students in the near future will develop a bioinformatic viewpoint
of life. Once they understand
this knowledge, they'll use it in many new and novel ways that will improve
our quality of life and health."
To arrange an interview with Dr. Pierce, contact John M. Martino at (215)
895-1186.
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