Bioinformatics methods: Application toward analyses and interpretation of experimental data (Chapter 1)

Abstract

The analysis and interpretation of experimental data are the crucial steps in biological research. Multidisciplinary methods through coalition of biological data with statistics are essential for this. Biostatistics and bioinformatics are the platforms that provide support for examination and understanding of the biological information. This chapter focuses on statistical and bioinformatics tools and techniques used to analyze data related to microbial ecology and molecular biology with respect to analysis of nucleotide sequences. Stepwise description of mining, analyses, and interpretation of data is provided in this chapter. This will help to determine the most appropriate method to be applied for a particular analysis to draw the best acceptable inference. In addition, this chapter also enlists the various online available databases and associated tools used to collect and compare biological data and information. Taken altogether, this chapter will enlighten students and researchers with the knowledge on multifarious analytical methods, which will aid better understanding and interpretation of their scientific findings.