Is it okay to do bioinformatics research instead of other kinds?

[antonkland88]

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I'm a college sophomore and thinking about majoring in biochemistry because I am liking intro biochemistry so far. I was hired by my biochem professor to work for him. Among his ongoing projects, a bioinformatics project is the only thing I can participate in. He's the biochem concentration advisor at my university, and I am liking his class, so I want to establish a good relationship with him by working for him. I, however, am not so sure if bioinformatics research is what I should be doing. I've been told that you need research experience to be a viable med school candidate. Is bioinformatics research acceptable or should I look for something else?

 

[armybound]

yes, research is research. i'd at least give it a shot

 

[shantster]

What tends to get lost in this whole research thing is that the person you work for is more important than the research they actually do. Instead of asking whether this will look good for medical school, you should be asking whether you think this person will be a good mentor thus providing you with the opportunity to learn and be involved, good guidance, and a great LOR. When I was in undergrad I had a much better experience in the lab where the PI was more hands on and accessible than the lab where I liked the research more (and what people think would be more impressive) but I didn't have as much contact with the PI.

When you get to med school if you decide you want to continue to do research, it will be easier to find a great mentor in an area that matches your interests better.

 

[LizzyM]

Bioinformatics is a fine field.

 

[Kiara08]

that's the kind of research I do and interviewers have been receptive and interested in it

 

[Tired Pigeon]

Bioinformatics is fine - the important thing w/your undergrad research is not so much the specific area but rather the exposure to research in general. As mentioned above, your relationship with the PI is potentially a valuable mentoring opportunity; this is more important than the actual project you're working on.

 

[PleaseBelieveit]

I'm surprised you would think that bioinformatics is a questionable field. In my lab we take an immunogenetics approach to studying the genes that control autoimmune diseases, and we utilize bioinformatics for EVERYTHING!! If you are in a lab or field that needs to know where genes are, where they are segregating in offspring, and what other genes they might be interacting with then you will be applying all kinds of bioinformatics techniques. And if you are using a model organism (rats, mice, etc.) then you will need to compare genomes in your crosses, and it is through bioinformatics that this task becomes practical. If you have any interest in genetics, which is obviously applicable to medical school, then go for it!

 

[TigerSoup]

I did a lot of tropical ecological research, in addition to some clinical and basic science. Netting birds, tracking ants, radio-tagging sloths, and all that good stuff. As long as you think you'll get something out of the experience and will be able to speak/write passionately and enthusiastically about it, you can do *whatever* you want.