Which kinds of biological data are stored and analyzed in bioinformatics databases?

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Computer-generated model of anthrax toxin showing seven differently colored protein units, with a small gold molecule representing a drug bound to the protein structure. — bioinformatics This computerized image of anthrax shows the various structural relationships of seven units within the protein and demonstrates the interaction of a drug (shown in yellow) bound to the protein to block the so-called lethal factor unit. Bioinformatics plays an important role in enabling scientists to predict where a drug molecule will bind within a protein, given the individual structures of the molecules.

Bioinformatics databases store and analyze a wide range of biological data, which are essential for supporting scientific research and clinical applications. The primary types of data include:1

Sequence Data: This includes DNA sequences of genes or full genomes, as well as amino acid sequences of proteins.1
Structural Data: Databases store the three-dimensional structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and protein–nucleic acid complexes.1
"-Omics" Data Streams: These include:
- Transcriptomics: Patterns of RNA synthesis.1
- Proteomics: The distribution of proteins within cells.1
- Interactomics: Patterns of protein-protein and protein–nucleic acid interactions.1
- Metabolomics: The nature and traffic patterns of small molecule transformations within biochemical pathways.1
Environmental Data: Metagenomics and metaproteomics provide comprehensive descriptions of organisms found in environmental samples, such as soil or ocean water.1

Researchers analyze these data to identify variations based on cell type, developmental stage, and external conditions, ultimately aiming to integrate these diverse streams to better understand natural phenomena and disease.1