Application of Bioinformatics in the Fight against COVID-19, Challenges and Opportunities in Nepal

Dr. Sujan Sigdel

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary science that integrates computer science, mathematics, statistics, and molecular biology to generate, interrelate, and interpret biological data. The use of biological data has been increasing globally in all fields of biology research and education including medicine, agriculture, pharmaceutical, molecular biology, biodiversity conservation, phylogenetics studies etc. Focusing on the application of Bioinformatics on infectious diseases, it has contributed immensely to our understanding of these diseases, its mechanism and the spread of antimicrobial resistance, host immune responses, identification of potential diagnostic markers and vaccine targets. Genomics data generated from pathogens and animal models can be combined to give advice on treatment options as well as potential drug and vaccine development. Despite its immense importance Nepal has lowest research output on infectious disease genomics including coronaviruses, and bioinformatics application.