Developing Computational Biology

: A year-long series of Perspective articles from computational biologists in a variety of countries, each of whom offers their personal viewpoint on the history, current status, and future of computational biology in their region. Philip E. Bourne and Steven Brenner asked the authors to describe the specific challenges they have faced, their perceived strengths and the institutions (government and private), opportunities, and difficulties of computational biology in their country as a whole, including that of scientists training overseas and returning home. Please use our commentary features to share your thoughts or experiences in these countries.

Editorial

Developing Computational Biology: Introduction to the series by Founding Editor Steven Brenner and Editor-In-Chief Philip E. Bourne.; Bourne PE, Brenner SE; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030157

Development of Genomic Sciences in Mexico: A Good Start and a Long Way to Go: The first article in the series describes the pioneering effort of a research group participating in the E. coli genome project, and other ambitious ventures underway (September 2007).; Palacios R, Collado-Vides J; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030143

Computational Biology in Brazil: An overview from Goran Neshich at the Embrapa Informática Agropecuária, describing and exploring the history of the field in Brazil, its economic impact and the spirit of education and entrepreneurship that drives it forward (October 2007).; Neshich G; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030185

Computational Biology in Cuba: An Opportunity to Promote Science in a Developing Country: Scientists from Havana discuss the role and importance of computational biology in biomedical research and teaching in Cuba, where the unique political situation adds to the difficulties of scientific research, but opportunities provided by computational techniques afford young scientists a way to progress (November 2007).; Pons T, Montero LA, Febles JP; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030227

Computational Biology in Argentina: Sebastian Bassi and colleagues from the Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, reflect on the identity of the interdisciplinary field of computational biology both generally and specifically in their country, Argentina (December 2007).; Bassi S, González V, Parisi G; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030257

Computational Biology in Costa Rica: The Role of a Small Country in the Global Context of Bioinformatics: The unique characteristics and challenges of conducting bioinformatics research in a small low-income country are described as experienced in Costa Rica (March 2008).; Moreno E, Lomonte B, Gutiérrez J-M; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000040

Bioinformatics in China: A Personal Perspective: Wei (Peking University) and Yu (Beijing Institute for Genomics) provide an overview of the past, present and future of bioinformatics in China (April 2008).; Wei L, Yu J; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000020

Outlook on Thailand's Genomics and Computational Biology Research and Development: Wannipha Tongsima, Sissades Tongsima and Prasit Palittapongarnpim give an overview of Thailand's successes, challenges and future prospects in the field of computational biology (July 2008).; Tongsima W, Tongsima S, Palittapongarnpim P; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000115

Genome-Scale Computational Biology and Bioinformatics in Australia: A broad overview of the diversity and richness of computational science in Australia, including centres, training, commerce and international participation (August 2008).; Ragan MA, Littlejohn T, Ross B; doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000068