Information: needs for the future

The four central questions surrounding the use of information are: where to find it; how to find it; how to present it; and how to maintain information availability and information literacy. It is usually assumed that the main source of information for most scientists is the peer-reviewed journal literature. Traditional journal publishing is beset with a number of problems. Although electronic publishing might possibly solve some of these, it in turn introduces new problems. Further problems arise with respect to secondary sources which, in some cases, are being supplemented by electronic archives of full-text documents. One fundamental question that arises when considering any large collection of documents or of records about documents is whether or not to index them, and how to index them. The pros and cons of free-text searching versus the use of controlled vocabularies are discussed, as is the importance of harmonising the Three Rs-related terminology of existing and proposed thesauri. However, there is a further problem that documents pertinent to the Three Rs are not always indexed from this point of view. Authors need to be made aware that, if the information is not provided in the abstract, there is no easy way to identify and retrieve this document from a database. Small specialised databases on the Three Rs in relation to specific subject areas could provide a further solution, especially if they provide references to conference proceedings and book chapters, which are not usually found in the large bibliographical databases. The provision of training in the use of information resources, and the establishment and maintenance of these resources require investment of money and professional skills. Finally, the future of Three Rs information depends on a recognition that this in an important topic which deserves more than lip service.     

Bioinformatics: perspectives for the future

I give here a very personal perspective of Bioinformatics and its future, starting by discussing the origin of the term (and area) of bioinformatics and proceeding by trying to foresee the development of related issues, including pattern recognition/data mining, the need to reintegrate biology, the potential of complex networks as a powerful and flexible framework for bioinformatics and the interplay between bio- and neuroinformatics. Human resource formation and market perspective are also addressed. Given the complexity and vastness of these issues and concepts, as well as the limited size of a scientific article and finite patience of the reader, these perspectives are surely incomplete and biased. However, it is expected that some of the questions and trends that are identified will motivate discussions during the IcoBiCoBi round table (with the same name as this article) and perhaps provide a more ample perspective among the participants of that conference and the readers of this text.     

Multiple sclerosis: modelling the future

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Conference: Frontiers in Science and Patient Care Disease ManagementBirmingham, UK, 5–6 May 1998     

Neuroeconomics: the shadow of the future

Humans and other animals tend to disregard future benefits and costs when choosing between immediate and delayed gratification. This tendency can lead to the choice of options that are not in one's own long-term interest. A new study looks at the neurophysiological basis of this self-defeating behavior.     

Vaccination: the present and the future

Vaccines have undoubtedly saved the lives of millions, and along with improved sanitation, they remain one of the cornerstones of modern medicine. Many diseases that were once widespread are now eradicated, but vaccine programs face ongoing challenges. Safety concerns as well as limited funding have led to pockets of reduced vaccine coverage around the world - including in developed countries. Chronic and recurrent diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, and malaria remain without effective vaccines. This review will briefly describe vaccines and the two major issues faced by modern vaccination programs: insufficient vaccine coverage and developing effective vaccines for chronic and recurrent diseases.     

Magnetotactic bacteria: nanodrivers of the future

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) represent a heterogeneous group of Gram-negative aquatic prokaryotes with a broad range of morphological types, including vibrioid, coccoid, rod and spirillum. MTBs possess the virtuosity to passively align and actively swim along the magnetic field. Magnetosomes are the trademark nano-ranged intracellular structures of MTB, which comprise magnetic iron-bearing inorganic crystals enveloped by an organic membrane, and are dedicated organelles for their magnetotactic lifestyle. Magnetosomes endue high and even dispersion in aqueous solutions compared with artificial magnetites, claiming them as paragon nanomaterials. MTB and magnetosomes offer high technological potential in modern science, technology and medicines. This review focuses on the applicability of MTB and magnetosomes in various areas of modern benefits.     

DNA chips: the future of biomarkers

DNA chips are small, solid supports such as microscope slides onto which thousands of cDNAs or oligonucleotides are arrayed, representing known genes or simply EST clones, or covering the entire sequence of a gene with all its possible mutations. Fluorescently labeled DNA or RNA extracted from tissues is hybridized to the array. Laser scanning of the chip permits quantitative evaluation of each individual complementary sequence present in the sample. DNA chip technology is currently being proposed for qualitative and quantitative applications, firstly for the detection of point mutations, small deletions and insertions in genes involved in human diseases or affected during cancer progression; secondly, to determine on a genome-wide basis the pattern of gene expression in tumors, as well as in a number of experimental situations. The extraordinary power of DNA chips will have a strong impact on medicine in the near future, both in the molecular characterization of tumors and genetic diseases and in drug discovery and evaluation. Quantitative applications will soon spread through all fields of biology.