Eur J Anat, 19 (2): 131-137 (2015)

Computer tools and collaborative translational research in the life sciences: the further advance of genomics and proteomics

Carlos González¹, Pablo J. Álvarez^2,4, Fernando Rodríguez-Serrano F.^2,4, Celia Vélez^2,4, A.R. Rama^3,4, Amelia E. Aránega^3,4 and José C. Prados^2,4

¹Franchise at Novartis Oncology Com, ²Dept. of Anatomy, University of Granada, Spain, ³Dept. of Health Science, University of Jaén, Spain and ⁴Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), University of Granada, Spain

ABSTRACT Currently, biomedical research is mainly focused on overcoming the major challenges faced by society, including the development of new therapeutic strategies against highly prevalent diseases. Over the past 20 years, considerable advances in this field have been achieved through an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach, enhanced by the development of computer science and its applications in genomics and proteomics. This study centers on platforms for the data management of research assets with high specialization in genomics and proteomics, analyzing the role of web-based databases in the progress made in these areas and evaluating their impact on global scientific production. The web platforms analyzed have proven to be an important resource for stimulating the integration of research data through information exchange. Specialized web search sites facilitate the obtaining of data in these specific areas, creating a trend in current biomedical research. The importance of these platforms is revealed by their impact on scientific production, with some being referenced in more than 100,000 articles and patents. A wider extension of the use of these tools can be expected within the modern society of information.

Keywords: Databases, Genomics, Ontology, Proteomics