Abstract:

Geographical Bioinformatics Systems (GBS) represent the marriage between two distinct and well established fields, GIS & Bioinformatics.  Bioinformatics refer to the use of computers to handle biological information—that is, the use computers to store, compare, retrieve, analyze and predict the composition or structure of bio-molecules.  On the other hand, the term Geographic Information Systems (GIS) refers to the computerized database management system for the capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data.   GIS is no longer restricted to the fields of computer science, geography, cartography or environmental science, but nowadays GIS tools and techniques are successfully used and implemented in many other fields of life, such as advertising, agribusiness, banking, entertainment, estate management, finance, food services, health services, insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceutical services, retail and utilities, social services, travel services and many more.  This paper explores the merger of these two distinct fields GIS & Bioinformatics, and also explores the prospect for research and development in these two areas.