Computers and information technology have become indispensable tools for most of us. This is particularly true in biological research, where scientists increasingly apply information technology to biological problems — a science called bioinformatics.

Bioinformatics provides central, globally accessible databases that enable scientists to submit, search and analyse information. It offers analysis software for data studies and comparisons and provides tools for modelling, visualising, exploring and interpreting data.

Scientists have developed many bioinformatics technologies because of the need to understand DNA, the code of life, and other components of living organisms.  Bioinformatics provides novel methods to store, analyse and visualise this information — creating new knowledge to enhance our standard of life. 

Bioinformatics helps us to visualize invisible structures such as proteins and to learn more about their work and function. This leads to insight into central questions of life: How do organisms work? How did life develop? How can new treatments against diseases such as cancer be developed?