Forum:skills for DNA sequencing and genomics

Question

[marcoe]

I searched for a guideline to check if general question are welcomed or not on Biostars and I couldn't find out, so I apologize if this question may be too general.

I think Bioinformatics require a mix of various competencies, some typical of those people who have an IT/mathematical education -area (a) below -, some typical of those people who have a chemical education -area (b) below - and some other more toward a biological education - area (c) below.

(a)
Mathematics
(b)
Chemistry
Molecular biology
(c)
Biology

Although the best thing would be to be skilled in every of those fields, it's not uncommon that somebody is mainly formed on one of the above areas, could become sufficient on a second area but still really weak on the third one.

So, according to this simplification, people skilled in (c)+(b) sure are qualified for Bionformatics field and people skilled in (b)+(a) are qualified for the protein structure and function field, that involves chemistry and quantum mechanics.

The questions are: is there a field in Bioinformatics for a person mainly skilled in (a)+(c)? If yes, would this field be that of DNA sequencing and genomics? Is there eventually a direct application of Information Retrieval models, graph theory and generally of mathematics applied to search models?

And: how steep would it be to become sufficient in area (c)?

Answer 1

[Bioradical]

You might have to spend a bit of time learning some of the basic biology / computer-oriented information, but I don't see why a person who's expertise is in mathematics can't contribute and succeed in DNA Sequencing and Genomics fields. Especially since i'd assume strong mathematically-skilled individuals are in lower numbers compared to those with strong science / computer skills.

[marcoe]

Thanks for answer. After reading it I modified my question.

Answer 2

[JC]

> is it possible for a person mainly skilled in area (a) to apply to DNA sequencing and genomics fields?

Yes, and they can success if they learn the biological part of the problems

[marcoe]

Thanks for answer. After reading it I modified my question.