Bioinformatics in Mexico: A diagnostic from the academic perspective and recommendations for a public policy

In this work, we present a diagnostic analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the current state of Bioinformatics in Mexico. We conducted semi-structured interviews among researchers and academics with key expertise in this field, identified by bibliometric analyses an...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: DAGOBERTO ARMENTA MEDINA, CHRISTIAN DIAZ DE LEON CASTAÑEDA, MARIA BRENDA VALDERRAMA BLANCO
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2020
Country:México
Institution:Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación
Repository:Repositorio Institucional de INFOTEC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:infotec.repositorioinstitucional.mx:1027/520
Online Access:http://infotec.repositorioinstitucional.mx/jspui/handle/1027/520
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:info:eu-repo/classification/Autoridades UNAM/Bioinformática
info:eu-repo/classification/Autoridades UNAM/Biología computacional
info:eu-repo/classification/Autoridades UNAM/Alineamiento de secuencias (Bioinformática)
info:eu-repo/classification/cti/2
info:eu-repo/classification/cti/24
info:eu-repo/classification/cti/2499
info:eu-repo/classification/cti/249999
Description
Summary:In this work, we present a diagnostic analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the current state of Bioinformatics in Mexico. We conducted semi-structured interviews among researchers and academics with key expertise in this field, identified by bibliometric analyses and qualitative sampling techniques. Additionally, an online survey was conducted reaching a higher number of respondents. Among the relevant findings of our study, the lack of specialized human resources and technological infrastructure stood out, along with deficiencies in the number and quality of academic programs, scarce public investment and a weak relationship between public and private institutions. However, there are great opportunities for developing a national Bioinformatics to support different economic sectors. In our opinion, this work could be useful to favor a comprehensive network among Mexican researchers, in order to lay the foundations of a national strategy towards a well designed public policy.