Accelerator: Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Advances in the life and medical sciences that rely, in large part, on increases in the processing power of computers that result to the development of new products and services in medicine and healthcare

Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Accelerator > Health and Life Sciences

Biotechnology and bioinformatics continue to advance, enabled by personalized, miniaturized and targeted healthcare technologies

Definition
  • Advances in life and medical sciences such as genome sequencing and nanotechnology, resulting in new healthcare products and services

Outlook
  • Continued innovation in gene sequencing and editing for purposes of gene targeting and predictive medicine (i.e., knowing an individual's predisposition to developing certain diseases)
  • Greater number of people opting to sequence their genomes, resulting in valuable genetic information databases
  • Increased attention to nanotechnology (i.e., science at very small scale, approximately one hundred-thousands the width of human hair), including beginning of human treatment using nanobots to deliver drugs
  • Emergence of nanobiophysics, combining physics, nanotechnology and biomedicine to provide affordable and portable diagnostics at point of care rather than in labs

Implications
  • Allowing greater customization of healthcare services based on individual DNA
  • Declining reliance on traditional labs due to portable diagnostic technologies
  • Evolving healthcare delivery workflows and services
  • Improving health outcomes, including disease treatment and life expectancy
  • Leading to deeper understanding of human body, which could be used to develop potential cures and discover preventive medical practices for various diseases

How might developments in biotechnology and bioinformatics impact your customers, employees and offerings?