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image data, both from microscopy and remote sensing, for which proprietary powerful

algorithms are available for processing (image processing). The same applies to functional

assays (e.g. ChIPseq, CLIP; RNAi screens; transposon screens) and high-throughput

screening (HTS), for example for drugs, for which the use of computers is essential for the

evaluation and in silico pre-testing of often many more candidate molecules. Bioinformatics

is thus able to answer basic biological and medical questions much better than was previ­

ously possible, based on theoretical knowledge and ever new data. Bioinformatics has

become the spearhead of modern biology, in that ever better computer predictions (espe­

cially via the Internet, with the help of modern Deep Learning, neural networks, neuro­

computing, but also with ever better search possibilities through PSSMs and HMMs) help

to advance these current research areas even faster. This is, for example, research on stem

cells, ecosystem modelling, neurobiology, nanotechnology, nanobiotechnology as well as

modern molecular biology with protein design and synthetic biology. Molecular medicine

in particular is becoming much stronger with the help of bioinformatics through insight

into the complex regulation of, for example, the immune system (help with allergies, rheu­

matism) regenerative medicine (help with chronic diseases) and the human genome.

However, this only applies if the ethical aspects are internalised and incorporated into all

problem solutions: Human dignity, respect for the individual, quality of life; effective

control and already at the planning stage safe, intelligent design of related technology, be

it computers, microorganisms, (human) cells or nanotechnology (cf. digital manifesto).

Bit  A bit of information is the smallest unit of information, a “yes” or “no” decision.

BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool)  Bioinformatics algorithm that allows

protein and nucleotide sequences to be compared with a large database in terms of their

local similarity. In this process, a sequence is compared for its similarity with reference

sequences in a database, i.e. with sequences that are already known, and can provide infor­

mation, e.g. which virus a patient has contracted. BLAST uses a heuristic search and here

the two-hit method (2-hit method): A short word list (lookup table) is first compared with

the short word lists of the database (indexed database). If at least one matching short word

is found in an entry, the system immediately checks whether there is another short word

hit in the vicinity (fixed distance). Only then the alignment is calculated. In all other cases,

the algorithm blasts ahead to the next database entry.

CATH (Classification by Class, Architecture, Topology and Homology) 

Classification of protein structure by class (structure of secondary structure), architec­

ture (high similarity of secondary structure but no homology), topology (similar properties

of secondary structure) and homology (evolutionary ...), based on experimentally deter­

mined three-dimensional protein structures from the protein database PDB.

Chaotic Systems  Description of systems (complex systems) whose behaviour is predict­

able (can be described exactly) only over short periods of time, but whose long-term

behaviour is kept within fixed limits (“attractor”).

18  Glossary