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It Is Computation Time for Bacteriology!

It Is Computation Time for Bacteriology! It Is Computation Time for Bacteriology! ▿ Igor B. Zhulin * Computer Science & Mathematics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37886, and Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Biology is an experimental science. In contrast to other natural sciences, physics, and chemistry, it has a very minor computational component. In order to support this statement with some data, I looked up 100 papers in the area of molecular and cellular biology published in 2008 in the journal Science and found that only 3 of them were purely computational. Another 15 were experimental papers with a significant computational component that was employed either to drive the experiment or to extend and interpret its results. Glancing through the Journal of Bacteriology (JB), one can see that the percentage of computational papers in this journal is even smaller. There are several reasons. First, this situation reflects the status quo, where experimental disciplines, such as genetics and biochemistry, play a key role in any scientific inquiry yielding worthwhile insights into the biology of the cell; hence the “if it ain't broke, don't fix it” (by bringing in some computational stuff) sentiment. Second, in contrast to the http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Bacteriology American Society For Microbiology

It Is Computation Time for Bacteriology!

Journal of Bacteriology , Volume 191 (1): 20 – Jan 1, 2009

It Is Computation Time for Bacteriology!

Journal of Bacteriology , Volume 191 (1): 20 – Jan 1, 2009

Abstract

It Is Computation Time for Bacteriology! ▿ Igor B. Zhulin * Computer Science & Mathematics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37886, and Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Biology is an experimental science. In contrast to other natural sciences, physics, and chemistry, it has a very minor computational component. In order to support this statement with some data, I looked up 100 papers in the area of molecular and cellular biology published in 2008 in the journal Science and found that only 3 of them were purely computational. Another 15 were experimental papers with a significant computational component that was employed either to drive the experiment or to extend and interpret its results. Glancing through the Journal of Bacteriology (JB), one can see that the percentage of computational papers in this journal is even smaller. There are several reasons. First, this situation reflects the status quo, where experimental disciplines, such as genetics and biochemistry, play a key role in any scientific inquiry yielding worthwhile insights into the biology of the cell; hence the “if it ain't broke, don't fix it” (by bringing in some computational stuff) sentiment. Second, in contrast to the

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References (16)

Publisher
American Society For Microbiology
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 by the American society for Microbiology.
ISSN
0021-9193
eISSN
1098-5530
DOI
10.1128/JB.01491-08
pmid
18978045
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

It Is Computation Time for Bacteriology! ▿ Igor B. Zhulin * Computer Science & Mathematics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37886, and Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 Biology is an experimental science. In contrast to other natural sciences, physics, and chemistry, it has a very minor computational component. In order to support this statement with some data, I looked up 100 papers in the area of molecular and cellular biology published in 2008 in the journal Science and found that only 3 of them were purely computational. Another 15 were experimental papers with a significant computational component that was employed either to drive the experiment or to extend and interpret its results. Glancing through the Journal of Bacteriology (JB), one can see that the percentage of computational papers in this journal is even smaller. There are several reasons. First, this situation reflects the status quo, where experimental disciplines, such as genetics and biochemistry, play a key role in any scientific inquiry yielding worthwhile insights into the biology of the cell; hence the “if it ain't broke, don't fix it” (by bringing in some computational stuff) sentiment. Second, in contrast to the

Journal

Journal of BacteriologyAmerican Society For Microbiology

Published: Jan 1, 2009

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