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lowest possible deviation from experiment that is achieved. It is certainly much more

important in bioinformatics to be able to correctly assess and correct the computer results,

i.e., to have enough knowledge and overview to be able to evaluate and classify the com­

puter results, than to be able to program oneself (which is nevertheless never a disadvan­

tage). However, it is necessary not to be afraid of computers and to be able to use at least

some programs, as well as to have a real interest in a biological question. If you want to do

quite well, you should above all get enough exercise and do sports instead of wasting away

in front of the computer or the book (“Mens sana in corpore sano”, i.e., a healthy mind in

a healthy body). In addition, one should also have a genuine willingness and interest to

enjoy nature, biology, animals and plants, but also the encounter with fellow human beings

(bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary subject).

Biology and of course its theoretical parts, such as bioinformatics, systems biology and

theoretical biology, are together a key science of the twenty-first century. Here, experts are

trained for complex systems that sometimes even overtake physics in their biological com­

plexity. There are many problems that are pressing on our minds, whether they concern

organisms, cells, molecules or the ecological balance. Equally important are medical prob­

lems or the biological part of research on artificial intelligence and neurobiology.

As indicated in the last two chapters, a new industrial revolution is upon us. Industry

4.0 or the “Internet of All Things” are important pacesetters for this approach. One simply

knows exactly where which part is at any given time and electronically controls when it is

installed where and how. The biological counterpart simply combines important individ­

ual aspects of bioinformatics, including the computer with synthetic biology, protein

design and smart molecular biology (see infobox).

The infobox contrasts different approaches to the “Internet of Things”. Here, the

Internet notes or models where each thing is. This leads to faster, safer and cheaper pro­

duction (Industry 4.0), increases the quality of life and sustainability in cities (Smart City)

or optimises traffic (Smart Traffic). In biology, and thus in bioinformatics, one of the first

steps towards this was the Gene Ontology Consortium (database catalog of all proteins,

always answers: What is localized where in the cell? What is its molecular function? What

cellular process is this?). Proprietary work includes the GoSynthetic Database, which

compares synthetic biology and technical constructs, and the DrumPID Database, which

compares drugs and protein-protein interactions (see infobox). Particularly impressive are

the BioBricks from MIT, which, similar to our database but now underpinned with specific

experiments, allow the artificial combination of biological control circuits. In addition, the

systems biology achievements of the iGEM competitions in new synthetic biology are also

impressive.

16.1  Solving Problems Using Bioinformatics