Awareness and Predictors of the Use of Bioinformatics in Genome Research in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Lamya Alomair,1,2 Mostafa A Abolfotouh2,3 1AI and Bioinformatics Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Research Training and Development Section, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mostafa A Abolfotouh, Research Training and Development Section, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, P.O. Box 3660, Mail Code 1515 (KAIMRC), Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: With the advances in genomics research, many countries still need more bioinformatics skills. This study aimed to assess the levels of awareness of bioinformatics and predictors of its use in genomics research among scientists in Saudi Arabia.Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, 309 scientists of different biological and biomedical specialties were subjected to a previously validated e-questionnaire to collect data on (1) Knowledge about bioinformatics programming languages and tools, (2) Attitude toward acceptance of bioinformatics resources in genome-related research, and (3) The pattern of information-seeking to online bioinformatics resources. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the predictors of using bioinformatics in research. Significance was set at p< 0.05.Results: More than one-half (248, 56.4%) of all scientists reported a lack of bioinformatics knowledge. Most participants had a neutral attitude toward bioinformatics (295, 95.4%). The barriers facing acceptance of bioinformatics tools reported were; lack of training (210, 67.9%), insufficient support (180, 58.2%), and complexity of software (138, 44.6%). The limited experience was reported in; having one or more bioinformatics tools (98, 31.7%), using a supercomputer in their research inside (44, 14.2%) and outside Saudi Arabia (55, 17.8%), the need for developing a program to solve a biological problem (129, 41.7%), working in one or more fields of bioinformatics (93, 30.1%), using web applications (112, 36.2%), and using programming languages (102, 33.0%). Significant predictors of conducting genomics research were; younger scientists (p=0.039), Ph.D. education (p=0.003), more than five years of experience (p< 0.05), previous training (p< 0.001), and higher bioinformatics knowledge scores (p< 0.001).Conclusion: The study revealed a short knowledge, a neutral attitude, a lack of resources, and limited use of bioinformatics resources in genomics research. Education and training during each education level and during the job is recommended. Cloud-based resources may help scientists do research using publicly available Omics data. Further studies are necessary to evaluate collaboration among bioinformatics software developers and biologists.Keywords: big data, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, precision medicine, HGP, precision medicine, genomics, SDAIA

Keywords

• big data
• artificial intelligence
• cloud computing
• precision medicine
• hgp
• precision medicine
• genomics
• sdaia.