The Art of Bioinformatics Learning in Our Arabic World

Alsamman, Alsamman M.

doi:10.36462/h.biosci.20193

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), higher than 1200 (more than 50%) of the total plants (2250) are considered to be of therapeutic value [1]. Additionally, this indigenous knowledge and cultural experiences were passed orally without recording and the traditional healers die without passing on their information [2]. Additionally, today medicinal plants are promoted as herbal medicines or natural health products.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

DNA-Barcoding of Some Medicinal Plant Species in Saudi Arabia Using rbcL and matK Genes

Alasmari¹

2020

Phyton

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In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), thousands of plants are considered to have therapeutic value. The ambiguous use of identification mainly morphological characteristics of many plants has resulted in the adulteration and displacement of plant products which undermine their therapeutic value and weak documentation of plant resources. The aims of this study were therefore to evaluate genetic variability and explore the phylogeographic architecture for Saudi medicinal plant samples using rbcL and matK genes as barcodes for genomic identification. The matK and rbcL sequences collected for these samples were used as key markers for examining the relationship between Saudi medicinal plant species based on genetic diversity. During our study we were successful in identifying and documenting 4 different species (Foeniculum vulgare, Nitraria retusa, Dodonaea viscosa, and Rumex nervosus) located in Saudi Arabia using DNA barcoding technique. A total number of 8 sequences were obtained with a total sequence length of 6176 bp, where it ranged from 617 bp to 878 bp with an average length of 772 bp. The total number of rbcL sequences length is 2801 bp, where it ranges from 617 bp to 807 bp with an average length of 700.2 bp. Out of the 4 plant samples used, only three samples were identified correctly on the species level with an identity percentage higher than 95% using rbcL gene. Additionally, 4 matK sequences have been retrieved belong to 4 species. The total number of matK sequences length is 3375 bp, where it ranges from 819 bp to 878 bp with an average length of 843.8 bp. Out of the 4 plant samples used, only two samples were identified correctly on the species level with an identity percentage higher than 98% using matK gene. Both rbcL and matK have been able to identify most of our collected plant samples by genus, and some by species. Using only one DNA-barcoding technique was not reliable for plant identification, where matK and rbcL must be used as a dual DNA-barcoding procedure.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

DNA-Barcoding of Some Medicinal Plant Species in Saudi Arabia Using rbcL and matK Genes

Alasmari¹

2020

Phyton

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“…Teaching bioinformatics in developing countries like Nigeria can be quite challenging, since it is a multidisciplinary field, where most of the undergraduate and faculty staff have little or no background knowledge or training. However, rendering bioinformatics analysis techniques are the most desirable skills in a variety of employments, scholarship programmes and academic positions [ 88 ]. Such skills will improve research in microbiology and increase employability rates and competitiveness in world markets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating computational skills in undergraduate Microbiology curricula in developing countries

Adenaike,

Olabanjo,

Adedeji

2023

Biology Methods and Protocols

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The employability of young graduates has gained increasing significance in the labour market of the 21st century. Universities turn out millions of graduates annually, but at the same time, employers highlight their lack of the requisite skills for sustainable employment. We live today; in a world of data, and therefore courses that feature numerical and computational tools to gather and analyse data are to be sourced for and integrated into life sciences’ curricula as they provide a number of benefits for both the students and faculty members that are engaged in teaching the courses. The lack of this teaching in undergraduate Microbiology curricula is devastating and leaves a knowledge-gap in the graduates that are turned out. This results in an inability of the emerging graduates to compete favourably with their counterparts from other parts of the world. There is a necessity on the part of life science educators to adapt their teaching strategies to best support students’ curricula that prepare them for careers in Science. Bioinformatics, Statistics and Programming are key computational skills to embrace by life Scientists and the need for training beginning at undergraduate level cannot be overemphasized. This paper reviews the need to integrate computational skills in undergraduate Microbiology curricula in Developing Countries with emphasis on Nigeria.

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