245

down processes in the cell, for example with pathway databases, or even reproduce bio­

logical processes in the model, such as the growth, differentiation and death of cells.  The

goal is biology and its understanding, the means are the computer and experimental data

or new experiments to substantiate the gained understanding as solid as possible. That is

why it is always important to be critical of the results of one’s own computer analyses.

One’s own expertise and knowledge of the correlations should always critically question

and accompany the results - otherwise one can be very far off the mark. Finally, it should

be emphasized that for mathematical (Turing computability) as well as biological reasons

(we are living beings, the computer is not) it remains our very own task to set goals, tasks

and directions for biology and our work, no matter how modern the computers may be.

This brings us to the end of this introduction to bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is the

way to the new biology of the twenty-first century, an intensive theoretical biology by and

with computers. It helps us to make a new biology, to know better what life is, what is in

bacteria, genomes, plants and protein structures, but also to get closer to the mystery of

man in all its facets, one’s own consciousness being a particularly deep mystery. This book

wants to motivate us to this new biology, not only as a textbook, but also so that we can

successfully and actively better shape our future with the help of bioinformatics. There are

more than enough pressing future problems and important, motivating future tasks.

17  Conclusion and Summary