The past, present and future of genomics and bioinformatics: A survey of Brazilian scientists

Rocha, Mariana; Massarani, Luisa; Souza, Sandro José de; Vasconcelos, Ana Tereza R. de

doi:10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2021-0354

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Genetics and Molecular Biology

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Genomics and Bioinformatics • Genet. Mol. Biol. 45 (2) • 2022 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2021-0354 copy

The past, present and future of genomics and bioinformatics: A survey of Brazilian scientists

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Brazil has one of the highest rates of scientific production, occupying the ninth position among countries with genome-sequencing projects. Considering the rapid development of this research area and the diversity of professionals involved, the present study aims to understand the expectations, past experiences and the current scenario of Brazilian research in bioinformatics and genomics. The present research was carried out by analyzing the perceptions of 576 researchers in genomics and bioinformatics in Brazil through content and sentiment analysis techniques. This group of participants is equivalent to 48% of the members of the research community. The results suggest that most researchers have a positive perception of the potential of this research area. However, there is concern about the lack of funding for investing in equipment and professional training. As part of a wish list for the future, researchers highlighted the need for higher funding, formal education, and collaboration among research networks. When asked about genomics and bioinformatics in other countries, the participants recognize that sequencing technologies and infrastructure are more accessible, allowing better data volume expansion.

Keywords:
Genomics; bioinformatics; Brazil; natural language processing; researchers’ perceptions

Sub-questions (SQ)	Objectives
SQ1: What is the profile of the researchers currently working in the field?	To collect and evaluate details about genomics and bioinformatics professionals considering demographic features, educational background, and professional experience
SQ 2: What are the perceptions about the present and future? How does it confront the perceptions about the area in other countries?	To collect and evaluate genomics and bioinformatics professionals’ thoughts on the current and future situation of the field both in Brazil and abroad.
SQ 3: What are the milestones achieved in the area, and what are the expert wishes for the future?	To collect and evaluate information about the country’s main achievements and what should be considered for future work.

Time since completion	Bachelor’s degree	Specialisation	Master’s degree	PhD	Post-doctorate
Over than 10 years ago	64.5%	18.9%	44.9%	41.0%	22.6%
Between 05 and 10 years	15.5%	2.8%	13.3%	14.6%	12.2%
Up to 05 years	17.2%	3.5%	19.2%	14.4%	12.8%
Over 3 years ago	0.2%	0.0%	0.0%	0.2%	0.0%
Studying	0.9%	1.1%	7.8%	16.1%	10.2%

Cluster	Number of Cases	Example
Cluster 1	47	Case 186 - FUNDAMENTAL for SCIENTIFIC-technological DEVELOPMENT of RESEARCH in the COUNTRY.
Cluster 2	15	Case 423 - Today, this is a very promising field and has GREAT GROWTH POTENTIAL with regard to HEALTH and the environment.
Cluster 3	46	Case 480 - There is a LACK of INVESTMENT in computational infrastructure and in the TRAINING of HUMAN RESOURCES (especially for software developers).
Cluster 4	11	Case 379 - EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for the development of new techniques and discoveries.

Sentiment classification	%	Example
Positive	46.0%	Case 398 - Very positive, with the training and qualification of several research groups in different institutions.
Neutral	41.0%	Case 230 - In the current circumstances, we need to have a lot of creativity. There is a huge amount of data being generated by science that is ignored by ‘bench’ scientists. These data could even be explored as training for students and researchers. Many scientific questions can have answers among these data.
Negative	13.0%	Case 541 - When it comes to research, I don’t see much prospect of change. Bioinformatics is still widely seen as a way to “save your work”, when everything else did not work, or to make it more beautiful to publish; the whole question of screening and previous study of a topic for better targeting of research are forgotten. This is a perspective difficult to change and is very much related to living in a moment when there is very little incentive for scientific development, with an even worse scenario when it comes to works that involve genomics/bioinformatics only.

Cluster	Number of Cases	Example
Cluster 1	62	Case 23 - I HOPE that we can have more DATA on genetic variation of the BRAZILIAN population and also that we have ANALYSIS TOOLS with a good user experience (I think most of the TOOLS, not only BRAZILIAN ones, are hard to use. Who knows a BRAZILIAN SEQUENCING equipment?
Cluster 2	22	Case 133 - This will bring a GREATER demand for PROFESSIONALS qualified to WORK with this data.
Cluster 3	88	Case 182 - I believe it will improve, but as long as the remuneration and INVESTMENT in research are low, the tendency is to continue to lose recently graduated RESEARCHERS abroad.
Cluster 4	53	Case 39 - Extremely promising, with the emergence of new PRIVATE sector RESEARCH and investment GROUPS in the creation of new COMPANIES specialising in the area.

Sentiment classification	%	Example
Positive	46.0%	Case 38 - Extremely promising, with the emergence of new research and investment groups from the private sector in the creation of new companies specialised in the area.
Neutral	41.0%	Case 453 - I believe that all professionals will have to know the minimum bioinformatics for the development of their research in the near future.
Negative	13.0%	Case 107 - Difficult, resources are still limited and more collaboration is lacking, including data availability

Cluster	Number of Cases	Example
Cluster 1	25	Case 383 - The advances in these areas are also much GREATER around the WORLD compared to Brazil.
Cluster 2	50	Case 45 - The available SEQUENCING techniques allow to generate a very large amount of DATA, which directly leads to the need for ANALYSIS by bioinformatics, therefore an area that keeps GROWING.
Cluster 3	26	Case 335 - It is very cheap abroad to do this type of analysis, so the trend is the GROWTH and EXPANSION of data volume for each species, allowing mainly more KNOWLEDGE of functional genomics.
Cluster 4	41	Case 409- LARGE private RESEARCH centers, companies and universities, working together to develop RESEARCH and commercial strategies.

Sentiment classification	%	Example
Positive	47.0%	Case 67 - Well developed, recognised and valued, with numerous groups and important research centres, both nationally and internationally, entirely dedicated to the generation of knowledge, development and application in the area, in addition to training and generation of human resources in scientific computing, both for natives and foreigners.
Neutral	46.0%	Case 148 - Genomics and/or bioinformatics data are abundant. The biggest challenge is in the analysis of these data.
Negative	7.0%	Case 226 - Expanding. However, it is noticeable that each group leader sought/chose their study model. As a result, there is countless fragmented research on the same topic. There is a real need for planning in groups focused on the same theme.

Category	Description	Percentage
Programs and projects	Implementation of programs and projects in the area, such as the Human Genome Project.	87.0%
Sequencing of organisms	Highlights of the main organisms sequenced, such as those relevant to areas like agriculture and health	66.0%
Technology	Development of new technologies, such as sequencers, high-performance computers and servers.	60.0%
Funding	More financial investment on research in the area	4.0%
Education and training	Development of formal education courses (bachelor’s and post-graduation degree) and training programs.	13.0%
Industry and institutions	Creation of new institutions and companies /start-ups in the area	15.0%
Techniques	Development of new sequencing techniques.	10.0%

Category	Description	Percentage
Funding	Responses state the need to funding for research and development in the area. It also includes the reduction of the price of research inputs and equipment, besides investment in the industry providing larger teams and start-ups creation.	56.8%
Formal education	Responses related to the need of implementing new bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees, besides training for specific technologies.	48.2%
Collaboration	States the wishes for more collaboration between research groups, institutions and private companies/industry.	33.3%
Infra-structure	Comments about the need of new equipment researchers would like to have in their hosting university or company, such as supercomputers or research inputs.	32.5%
Career	A higher number of job positions for researchers and professionals in the area, higher salaries etc.	9.6%
Communication	Better communication about the area to the general public, besides including aspects related to the area to the basic school curriculum.	5.7%

Sociedade Brasileira de Genética Rua Cap. Adelmio Norberto da Silva, 736, 14025-670 Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil, Tel.: (55 16) 3911-4130 / Fax.: (55 16) 3621-3552 - Ribeirão Preto - SP - Brazil
E-mail: editor@gmb.org.br

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[1] Send correspondence to
Mariana Rocha. Technological University Dublin, School of Computer Science, Level 2, CQ-214, Central Quad, Grangegorman, D07 ADY7, Ireland. E-mail: mariana.rocha@tudublin.ie.