The department of Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics (MBB) is one of the five technical departments of the Agency with a mandate to: 1. Create a bioinformatics environment in Nigeria through building of appropriate capacity in the field (establishing of high computing infrastructure and conducting trainings, workshops, seminars, conferences in bioinformatics); 2. Ensure that Nigerian scientists/researchers acquire this cutting-edge technology for use in genomics and proteomics studies. 3. Develop a National Bioinformatics node to serve scientists and researchers nationally and internationally. 4. Develop and manage relevant databases: This is the representation, storage, and distribution of data. This involves designing of data formats and databases and creation of tools to query those databases. 5. Carry out Strategic Planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes of the Agency.
Dr. K. az-Zubair, Director

INTRODUCTION:
The increasing automation of experimental molecular biology and the application of information technology in the biological science have led to a fundamental change in the way biological research is done.

One of the formidable challenges facing researchers today remains informatics: how to make sense of the massive amount of data provided by biotechnology’s powerful research tools and techniques. The primary problems are how to collect, store and retrieve information; manage data so that access is unhindered by location or compatibility; provide an integrated form of data analysis; and develop methods for visually representing molecular and cellular data. The genomic era has seen a massive explosion in the amount of biological information available due to huge advances in the fields of molecular biology and genomics.
The common language of computers allows researchers all over the world to contribute and access these biological data; the universal language of life enables collaborations among scientists studying any plant, animal or microbe. Computers are therefore being used to gather, store, analyse and merge these biological data.

Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the management and analysis of biological data. It is the latest mantra in the field of life science in which life science and information technology merge into a single discipline. The Science of informatics is concerned with the representation, organization, manipulations, distribution, maintenance and the use of information, particularly in digital form. Basically, Bioinformatics involves the use of Information technology in the management of Genomics and Proteomic studies. It can be divided into Structural and Functional Activities. While the structure deals with Database and its management, the functional aspect deals with the Molecular Studies and its function.
Bioinformatics technology uses computational tools provided by the information technology revolution, such as statistical software, graphics simulation, algorithms and database management, for consistently, addressing, processing and integrating data from different sources. Bioinformatics therefore, consists in general of two branches: the first concerns data gathering, storing, accessing and visualization; the second branch focuses more on data integration, analysis and modeling (often referred to as computational biology).

1.Genomics/Proteomics Studies:
Genomics is the study of an organism’s genome and the use of the genes. It deals with the systematic use of genomic information, associated with other data, to provide answers in biology, medicine and industry. Proteomics on the other hand deals with the studies of the structure and functions of proteins.

The role of Genomics is to promote the understanding of the structure, function, and evolution of genomes in all kingdoms of life and the application of genome sciences and technologies to challenging problems in biology and medicine.
The existence of genome projects is our major challenge to use the data they generate. The implicit goals of modern molecular biology are, simply stated, to read the entire genomes of living things, to identify every gene, to match each gene with the protein it encodes and to determine the structure and function of each protein. Detailed knowledge of gene sequence, protein structure and function, and gene expression patterns is expected to give us the ability to understand how life works at the highest possible resolution. Implicit in this is the ability to manipulate living things with precision and accuracy.

2. Biodata:
Development and management of databases;
Establishment of a national bioinformatics node, with appropriate license, acquires and domiciles relevant databases from both national and international gene banks.
A web-based database is to be developed storing information on the major bioprocesses of national and economic relevance. Information within the database will be structured on different bioprocess product types. Databases are currently being developed on:

• Microbial Culture Collection database (MCCD).
• Biotechnologist/Bioinformatics(home & abroad) with their research areas;
• Health related databases: Avian Influenza, HIV,Polio, Hepatitis-B, Malaria and other diseases in the country.
• Forensic/Finger Print database.
• National bioresources and biodiversity

Practical applications of bioinformatics

The science of bioinformatics has many beneficial uses in the modern day world.

These include the following:

1. Molecular medicine
The human genome will have profound effects on the fields of biomedical research and clinical medicine. Every disease has a genetic component. This may be inherited (as is the case with an estimated 3000-4000 hereditary disease including Cystic Fibrosis and Huntingtons disease) or a result of the body's response to an environmental stress which causes alterations in the genome (eg. cancers, heart disease, diabetes..).

The completion of the human genome means that we can search for the genes directly associated with different diseases and begin to understand the molecular basis of these diseases more clearly. This new knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of disease will enable better treatments, cures and even preventative tests to be developed.

1.1 More drug targets

At present all drugs on the market target only about 500 proteins. With an improved understanding of disease mechanisms and using computational tools to identify and validate new drug targets, more specific medicines that act on the cause, not merely the symptoms, of the disease can be developed. These highly specific drugs promise to have fewer side effects than many of today's medicines.

1.2 Personalised medicine

Clinical medicine will become more personalised with the development of the field of pharmacogenomics. This is the study of how an individual's genetic inheritence affects the body's response to drugs. At present, some drugs fail to make it to the market because a small percentage of the clinical patient population show adverse affects to a drug due to sequence variants in their DNA.

As a result, potentially life saving drugs never make it to the marketplace. Today, doctors have to use trial and error to find the best drug to treat a particular patient as those with the same clinical symptoms can show a wide range of responses to the same treatment. In the future, doctors will be able to analyse a patient's genetic profile and prescribe the best available drug therapy and dosage from the beginning.

1.3 Preventative medicine

With the specific details of the genetic mechanisms of diseases being unravelled, the development of diagnostic tests to measure a persons susceptibility to different diseases may become a distinct reality. Preventative actions such as change of lifestyle or having treatment at the earliest possible stages when they are more likely to be successful, could result in huge advances in our struggle to conquer disease.

1.4 Gene therapy

In the not too distant future, the potential for using genes themselves to treat disease may become a reality. Gene therapy is the approach used to treat, cure or even prevent disease by changing the expression of a persons genes. Currently, this field is in its infantile stage with clinical trials for many different types of cancer and other diseases ongoing.
2. Microbial genome applications
Microorganisms are ubiquitous, that is they are found everywhere. They have been found surviving and thriving in extremes of heat, cold, radiation, salt, acidity and pressure. They are present in the environment, our bodies, the air, food and water.

Traditionally, use has been made of a variety of microbial properties in the baking, brewing and food industries. The arrival of the complete genome sequences and their potential to provide a greater insight into the microbial world and its capacities could have broad and far reaching implications for environment, health, energy and industrial applications. For these reasons, in 1994, the US Department of Energy (DOE) initiated the MGP (Microbial Genome Project) to sequence genomes of bacteria useful in energy production, environmental cleanup, industrial processing and toxic waste reduction.

By studying the genetic material of these organisms, scientists can begin to understand these microbes at a very fundamental level and isolate the genes that give them their unique abilities to survive under extreme conditions.

Energy (DOE) initiated the MGP (Microbial Genome Project) to sequence genomes of bacteria useful in energy production, environmental cleanup, industrial processing and toxic waste reduction.

By studying the genetic material of these organisms, scientists can begin to understand these microbes at a very fundamental level and isolate the genes that give them their unique abilities to survive under extreme conditions.

2.1 Waste cleanup

Deinococcus radiodurans is known as the world's toughest bacteria and it is the most radiation resistant organism known. Scientists are interested in this organism because of its potential usefulness in cleaning up waste sites that contain radiation and toxic chemicals.
 
Microbial Genome Program (MGP) scientists are determining the DNA sequence of the genome of C. crescentus, one of the organisms responsible for sewage treatment.

2.2 Climate change

Increasing levels of carbon dioxide emission, mainly through the expanding use of fossil fuels for energy, are thought to contribute to global climate change. Recently, the DOE (Department of Energy, USA) launched a program to decrease atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. One method of doing so is to study the genomes of microbes that use carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source.

2.3 Alternative energy sources

Scientists are studying the genome of the microbe Chlorobium tepidum which has an unusual capacity for generating energy from light.

2.4 Biotechnology

The archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus and the bacterium Thermotoga maritima have potential for practical applications in industry and government-funded environmental remediation. These microorganisms thrive in water temperatures above the boiling point and therefore may provide the DOE, the Department of Defence, and private companies with heat-stable enzymes suitable for use in industrial processes.

Lactococcus lactis is one of the most important micro-organisms involved in the dairy industry, it is a non-pathogenic rod-shaped bacterium that is critical for manufacturing dairy products like buttermilk, yogurt and cheese. This bacterium, Lactococcus lactis ssp., is also used to prepare pickled vegetables, beer, wine, some breads and sausages and other fermented foods. Researchers anticipate that understanding the physiology and genetic make-up of this bacterium will prove invaluable for food manufacturers as well as the pharmaceutical industry, which is exploring the capacity of L. lactis to serve as a vehicle for delivering drugs.

2.5 Antibiotic resistance

Scientists have been examining the genome of Enterococcus faecalis a leading cause of bacterial infection among hospital patients. They have discovered a virulence region made up of a number of antibiotic-resistant genes that may contribute to the bacterium's transformation from a harmless gut bacteria to a menacing invader. The discovery of the region, known as a pathogenicity island, could provide useful markers for detecting pathogenic strains and help to establish controls to prevent the spread of infection in wards.

2.6 Forensic analysis of microbes

Scientists used their genomic tools to help distinguish between the strain of Bacillus anthracis that was used in the summer of 2001 terrorist attack in Florida with that of closely related anthrax strains.

2.7 The reality of bioweapon creation

Scientists have recently built the virus poliomyelitis using entirely artificial means. They did this using genomic data available on the Internet and materials from a mail-order chemical supply. The research was financed by the US Department of Defence as part of a biowarfare response program to prove to the world the reality of bioweapons. The researchers also hope their work will discourage officials from ever relaxing programs of immunisation. This project has been met with very mixed feelings.

2.8 Evolutionary studies

The sequencing of genomes from all three domains of life, eukaryota, bacteria and archaea means that evolutionary studies can be performed in a quest to determine the tree of life and the last universal common ancestor.
3. Agriculture

The sequencing of the genomes of plants and animals should have enormous benefits for the agricultural community. Bioinformatic tools can be used to search for the genes within these genomes and to elucidate their functions. This specific genetic knowledge could then be used to produce stronger, more drought, disease and insect resistant crops and improve the quality of livestock making them healthier, more disease resistant and more productive.
3.1 Crops

Comparative genetics of the plant genomes has shown that the organisation of their genes has remained more conserved over evolutionary time than was previously believed. These findings suggest that information obtained from the model crop systems can be used to suggest improvements to other food crops. Arabidopsis thaliana (water cress) and Oryza sativa (rice) are examples of available complete plant genomes.

3.2 Insect resistance

Genes from Bacillus thuringiensis that can control a number of serious pests have been successfully transferred to cotton, maize and potatoes. This new ability of the plants to resist insect attack means that the amount of insecticides being used can be reduced and hence the nutritional quality ofthe crops is increased.

3.3 Improve nutritional quality

Scientists have recently succeeded in transferring genes into rice to increase levels of Vitamin A, iron and other micronutrients. This work could have a profound impact in reducing occurrences of blindness and anaemia caused by deficiencies in Vitamin A and iron respectively.

Scientists have inserted a gene from yeast into the tomato, and the result is a plant whose fruit stays longer on the vine and has an extended shelf life.
3.4 Grow in poorer soils and drought resistant

Progress has been made in developing cereal varieties that have a greater tolerance for soil alkalinity, free aluminium and iron toxicities. These varieties will allow agriculture to succeed in poorer soil areas, thus adding more land to the global production base. Research is also in progress to produce crop varieties capable of tolerating reduced water conditions.