BIOINFORMATICS, IMPLICATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHING BIOCHEMISTRY

Abstract

Over the course of this century, there has been extensive development in genome-related research, and the vast amount of information generated has enabled the development of bioinformatics, which has become a tool used to support research focused on addressing questions regarding the transcription and translation of the genetic code, the functional properties of proteins, and the development of new drugs. While previous applications have focused on cutting-edge biochemical knowledge, bioinformatics tools are also emerging as potential instruments for teaching biochemical concepts that are considered abstract, difficult to learn, and in which the learning process has traditionally been rote, with unfavorable academic outcomes for students. In this context, this article aims to reflect on the educational opportunities that bioinformatics tools offer in biochemistry teaching, as well as to motivate researchers to propose new work initiatives in this field. To this end, a bibliographic review of the last 10 years was conducted. As a result, few published studies were found in which bioinformatics is used as a teaching tool. Therefore, here, we propose a reflective analysis of some opportunities that bioinformatics, as an ICT tool, offers for science education researchers to use to innovate in the classroom.