Bioinformatics is an area of significant importance as increasing amounts of biological data are produced daily. Working with such information requires bioinformatics specialists dedicated to the storage, identification, processing, analysis or visualization of these data. An additional advantage would be that these specialists possess a solid background in the fields of biological data-producing biology, i.e. the „omics” sciences, to guide data interpretation and the refinement of analysis methods. In this context, the present study program aims to train specialists capable not only of analyzing and making predictions based on experimental data using computational methods, but also of deriving experimental data with a good understanding of the molecular biology methods used. These skills are highly needed in both academic and business environments, either for research activities or for the interpretation of data obtained in biomedical laboratories.

The utility of bioinformatics is not limited to just providing methods for analyzing data, but extends to making predictions based on experimental data and guiding experiments to answer questions arising from bioinformatic analysis of data. Given this, bioinformaticians are in high demand in the current labor market. This is particularly evident abroad, where large pharmaceutical, biotech or software development companies are extremely interested in finding individuals capable of working with huge amounts of biological or clinically derived data (Alaina G. Levine, An Explosion Of Bioinformatics Careers, Science, 13.06.2015). There are also a large number of positions for bioinformaticians in academia abroad, with PhDs, postdocs or researchers with bioinformatics qualifications sought. As the teaching language of the Master’s is English, graduates of this Master’s will be able to aim for employment as bioinformaticians abroad.

In Romania, bioinformaticians are beginning to be sought for data analysis (genetic, mass spectrometry, etc.), the development of software to accompany laboratory equipment (PCR equipment, microarray equipment, etc.) or for the sale of such equipment. Both research laboratories and private analytical laboratories face problems related to: (i) lack of data analysis programs that can be used in a similar way regardless of the equipment used for data recording; (ii) lack of reproducibility of data analysis results, which is due to user subjectivity in the choice of parameters used for data analysis; (iii) lack of bioinformatics training of the staff, which prevents the full potential exploitation of the recorded data; (iv) difficult choice of a data analysis program perfectly adapted to the needs of the laboratory; (v) difficulties in operating with existing databases and in posting the obtained information in a database. Through this master program we will train specialists able to solve the problems listed above.

In an analytical laboratory, either for research or commercial purposes, the graduates of this master’s program will be integrated by performing activities that support the analysis carried out by using specific bioinformatics methods for data analysis, they will be able to apply the molecular biology methods learned to obtain data that they will later analyze or they will be involved in the development of methods and algorithms needed to meet a specific need of the laboratory. On the other hand, Master’s graduates will be able to continue their professional training by undertaking doctoral studies, after which they will be able to engage in educational activities, either by pursuing an academic career or by participating in the training and development of laboratory staff. With prior training in the medical field, graduates of this MSc will be able to carry out medical bioinformatics activities. Their skills are useful for establishing personalized treatments (pharmacogenomics), i.e. to identify the drug that will work optimally in relation to the patient’s genetic profile.

Due to the current need for specialists in the field of bioinformatics, we consider the Applied Bioinformatics for Life Science Master’s program to be in line with the requirements of the labor market. The subjects that will be taught to students will ensure the preparation of specialists who are able to respond to the problems currently faced by analytical laboratories and who, through their work, will bring additional benefits to the laboratory in which they are employed.