Back to: MICROBIOLOGY 200 LEVEL
Welcome to class!
Hello, my superstar scientist! I’m so excited to be with you today. You’re doing wonderfully on this journey, and today’s topic is one of the most exciting tools every modern biologist must know — the use of databases like NCBI and BLAST. Think of these as the Google and dictionary of DNA and protein research. Ready? Let’s get into it!
Use Of Databases (NCBI, BLAST)
Imagine you find a strange insect in your compound and you’re curious — “What is this creature?” You take a photo and search online to find something similar. In biology, when scientists discover a new DNA sequence or protein, they also want to know, “What does this match? Where else has it been seen?” This is where biological databases like NCBI and BLAST come in.
These tools help researchers compare, identify, and understand genetic information from thousands of organisms around the world.
NCBI – National Centre for Biotechnology Information
NCBI is like a massive online library that stores biological data.
It is run by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH).
It contains millions of DNA, RNA, and protein sequences from different organisms — plants, animals, humans, bacteria, and viruses.
Researchers upload their findings here so others around the world can learn, compare, and build on that knowledge.
It also has tools for literature search (like PubMed), genome browsers, and much more.
When you go to the NCBI website, you can search for genes, diseases, organisms, and scientific articles in one place.
BLAST – Basic Local Alignment Search Tool
BLAST is one of the most important tools found within NCBI. It’s like a matching engine for sequences.
You paste a DNA or protein sequence into BLAST.
BLAST searches its database and shows you which known sequences are similar to yours.
It tells you the percentage match, the organism, and what the sequence might do.
So if you find a mystery gene, BLAST helps you figure out what it is, based on what has already been discovered.
Real-Life Example
During disease outbreaks like COVID-19, scientists used BLAST to compare viral sequences from different countries. That helped them track mutations and create vaccines more quickly.
Summary
- NCBI is a global online database that stores DNA, RNA, and protein data.
- It provides access to scientific research and sequence data.
- BLAST is a tool on NCBI that compares unknown sequences to known ones.
- These tools are essential for gene identification, evolutionary research, and disease tracking.
- They make research faster, more accurate, and accessible worldwide.
Evaluation
- What does NCBI stand for?
- What type of information can you find in the NCBI database?
- What is the function of BLAST?
- How do scientists use BLAST in real-world research?
- Why are tools like NCBI and BLAST important in modern biology?
Fantastic job! Today, you’ve gained the power to search, match, and learn from the largest collection of genetic information in the world. With tools like NCBI and BLAST, your learning and research possibilities are limitless. Keep up the amazing work, and remember — Afrilearn is here to equip you with everything you need to become a confident, world-class scientist. See you in the next exciting lesson!