Decoding life with computers: the power of bioinformatics

What if doctors could read the body’s instruction manual to understand why diseases happen and how to treat them more effectively? In many ways, that is exactly what modern science is trying to do by reading and analysing DNA.

DNA is the chemical code that carries the instructions for life. It is written using just four letters: A, T, G and C. Yet these four letters form sequences of about three billion characters in the human genome. Within that enormous code lie clues that explain how our bodies develop, why diseases occur and how different people respond to treatments.

In recent years, technology has made it possible to read this genetic code quickly and relatively cheaply. However, every genome that is sequenced produces vast amounts of data. Understanding that data requires powerful computers and specialised methods. This is where bioinformatics comes in.

Bioinformatics is the field that combines biology, computer science and statistics to analyse biological information. Put simply, it uses computers to help scientists understand the molecules that make life possible. Researchers develop software and algorithms, increasingly supported by artificial intelligence, that allow them to study DNA, proteins and other biological data, revealing patterns that would be impossible to detect manually.

The impact of bioinformatics can be seen in many areas of science and medicine. In cancer research, scientists analyse the DNA of tumour cells to identify mutations that drive the disease. By comparing genetic information from many patients, bioinformatics tools help researchers understand how cancers develop and which treatments may work best for different individuals.

Malta is also contributing to this rapidly growing field, with researchers using bioinformatics to study diseases, analyse genetic data and support advances in health and life sciences

This approach is part of a broader shift towards precision medicine, where treatments are guided by the genetic characteristics of a patient’s disease. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, doctors can increasingly use genetic information to support decisions about diagnosis and treatment.

Bioinformatics is also transforming how scientists study the natural world. By analysing tiny fragments of genetic material found in water, soil or air, researchers can detect which species are present in an ecosystem without needing to see them directly. This technique, known as environmental DNA, helps scientists monitor biodiversity and protect endangered species.

As biological technologies become faster and cheaper, the amount of data being generated continues to grow rapidly. Skilled bioinformaticians are therefore increasingly needed in research laboratories, hospitals, biotechnology companies and environmental organisations.

Malta is also contributing to this rapidly growing field, with researchers using bioinformatics to study diseases, analyse genetic data and support advances in health and life sciences. At the University of Malta, the M.Sc. in Bioinformatics programme, run by the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, prepares students to work at the intersection of biology and computing. Starting in October 2026, the course provides training in data analysis, programming and modern biological research for students interested in applying computing to life science.

Jean-Paul Ebejer is an associate professor at the University of Malta and the coordinator of the M.Sc. in Bioinformatics programme. His work focuses on developing computational methods to analyse biological data and support discoveries in health and life sciences.

Photo of the week

Photo: Philip Waller Photography (@thephilwaller)

Just a quiet moment between two worlds for this loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). 

Sound Bites

•         Scientists studying 1,300 golden retrievers have uncovered genetic clues explaining why some dogs are more anxious, energetic or aggressive than others. Remarkably, several of the same genes linked to canine behaviour are also tied to human traits like anxiety, depression and intelligence. The discovery suggests dogs and humans share biological roots for emotions and behaviour. Understanding these links could help owners better interpret their pets’ reactions and even improve training and veterinary care.

•         As millions of people turn to ChatGPT and other AI chatbots for therapy-style advice, new research from Brown University raises a serious concern. Even when instructed to behave like trained therapists, these systems often fail to follow key ethical standards in mental healthcare. In side-by-side evaluations with peer counsellors and licensed psychologists, researchers identified 15 different ethical risks. These include mishandling crisis situations, reinforcing harmful beliefs, showing biased responses and displaying what researchers call “deceptive empathy”, where systems imitate care and understanding without genuinely recognising the user’s situation.

DID YOU KNOW? 

•         The Italian village of Villavallelonga celebrates the feast of St Anthony the Great with a 50-course meal. No leftovers are allowed.

•         Colmar in France gives live chickens to its residents. By feeding the chickens kitchen scraps, they have avoided 273 tonnes of bio-waste since 2015.

•         During the Beijing Olympics, Usain Bolt ate 1,000 chicken nuggets over 10 days.

•         Japanese tempura originally came from Portugal. The word ‘tempura’ is thought to come from the Latin ‘tempora’, referring to fasting, such as during Lent.

•         Queuing was invented in France.

For more trivia, see: www.um.edu.mt/think.