Development of a Local Entomological Database for Education and Research using Simulation (Virtual) Methods

Abstract

Bioinformatics has been regarded as one of the rapidly-evolving fields with enormous impact on the history of life and biomedical sciences. It is an interdisciplinary science that integrates life sciences, mathematics and computer science in order to extract meaningful biological insights from large data sets of raw DNA and protein sequences. Our objective was the development of an entomogenomics database (provisionally named EntomDB) for education and research in entomology (entomology is the science of insects). This DB includes DNA/protein sequence data selected from genomes of major insect models of importance in biology and biomedical research. EntomDB will represent a customized easy, interactive and self-learning resource tool for beginner users in poor-resource settings. This will enable the users to learn basic skills in bioinformatics and genomics, needlessly to search through the numerous databases currently available on the World-Wide Web with their complex interfaces and contents. EntomDB will help students and young researchers in studying the primary structure, splicing, and translation and predict function of different genes by using simple simulation methods. It is also designed to be adaptable to work off-line, in case no internet connection is available. EntomDB is primarily designed for entomology discipline; however, it can easily be adapted for other disciplines in life and biomedical sciences. EntomDB will have important educational and developmental outcomes in promoting bioinformatics learning in the developing world and provide affordable first-level training for advanced degree and research levels.