Is cloud computing the future of bioinformatics?

Abstract

Bioinformatics is defined as the application of computational and analytical tools to collect and interpret biological
data. With the advancement in technology and biological research, a vast amount of data is being produced,
necessitating large-scale storage and processing capabilities. Sequencing instruments lack sufficient storage
capacity. Cloud computing offers an efficient solution to these challenges, with low management costs. Cloud
computing involves storing and accessing data “over the Internet,” providing a scalable and flexible system for
addressing storage and processing problems. It allows anytime, anywhere access to applications, data sharing,
and resources, removing the need for researchers to manage computing clusters. In the field of bioinformatics,
cloud computing can provide services such as probe sequencing, quality control, and reporting for next-generation
sequencing (NGS) data and other bioinformatics tools. Over the years, cloud computing has become integral
to many bioinformatics solutions. Major companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon offer cloud-based
platforms, and some cloud-based bioinformatics systems include Apache Hadoop, Dryad, Azure, and BioNimbus.
However, concerns have been raised regarding data management, infrastructure, and environmental performance.
Overall, cloud computing has the potential to revolutionize bioinformatics, making it more accessible to researchers
and professionals. In this research paper, we explore how the introduction of cloud computing has impacted the
field of bioinformatics.