Next-generation sequencing and big data are driving demand for bioinformatics professionals.

Personalized medicine is one of the fastest-growing areas in bioscience, transforming how diseases are diagnosed, treated, and even prevented. As genetic sequencing becomes more widely used in healthcare and research, the need for professionals who can analyze complex biological data is expanding rapidly.

“Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of cancer research and treatment,” says Janani Rangarajan, a bioinformatician and former chair of the Bioinformatics Certificate Program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.

NGS allows researchers and clinicians to analyze a patient’s genetic makeup in extraordinary detail, helping doctors tailor treatments based on an individual’s DNA. This approach—often referred to as precision or personalized medicine—is reshaping modern healthcare.

As the use of genomic data continues to grow, bioinformatics professionals are becoming essential members of research, pharmaceutical, and healthcare teams.

What Is bioinformatics?

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, computer science, statistics, and data science to analyze complex biological data—especially genomic data.

Bioinformaticians develop algorithms and computational tools to interpret DNA sequences, identify genetic mutations, and uncover patterns that help researchers understand diseases and develop new therapies.

These specialists often work behind the scenes, translating vast datasets into insights that support:

• Drug discovery
• Cancer research
• Genetic disease analysis
• Clinical trials
• Precision medicine initiatives

How next-generation sequencing is transforming medicine

Modern sequencing technology can scan a patient’s DNA for thousands of genetic mutations associated with diseases such as cancer.

Using this data, scientists and physicians can:

• Identify genetic abnormalities linked to specific cancers
• Match patients with targeted therapies
• Determine eligibility for clinical trials
• Predict how patients may respond to certain treatments

Because of these capabilities, genomic sequencing is increasingly used in hospitals, biotech companies, pharmaceutical research, and academic laboratories.

“Everybody’s sequencing their genes now,” Rangarajan says. “It’s become the future of personalized medicine, which means there will be much more handling of this kind of data. The field will continue to expand.”

Bioinformatics job outlook

The rapid growth of genomic medicine and biomedical data has created strong demand for bioinformatics professionals.

Organizations hiring bioinformaticians include:

• Biotechnology companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Hospitals and medical centers
• Genomics startups
• Academic research labs
• Government health agencies

For professionals who combine biological knowledge with programming and data analysis skills, bioinformatics offers a promising career path with opportunities in research, healthcare innovation, and precision medicine.

Preparing the next generation of bioinformaticians

To help meet industry demand, the UCSC Extension Bioinformatics Certificate Program helps professionals develop practical, job-ready skills.

Rangarajan developed the curriculum to introduce core concepts in a fast-paced format that supports both scientists entering computational work and programmers transitioning into life sciences.

The program teaches students how to:

• Work with genomic and biological datasets
• Apply programming to biological research
• Analyze sequencing data
• Understand the tools used in modern genomics

“Once you understand the core concepts, you’ll understand what the industry is all about,” Rangarajan says.

Introductory course: Concepts in Next-Generation Sequence Analysis

Professionals curious about entering the field can begin with an introductory online course: Personal Development Seminar: Concepts in Next-Gen Sequence Analysis

The course introduces key topics in genomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, giving students a practical overview of the industry and its tools.

Instructor Paul Saunders, who previously earned a Bioinformatics Certificate from UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension, brings extensive industry experience to the course. He has held leadership roles at several biotechnology companies in the Silicon Valley region.

Students learn how to:

• Access and process raw genomic data
• Understand bioinformatics workflows
• Explore programming requirements for the field
• Interpret sequencing results

Saunders also shares insights on how professionals from biology, programming, or data science backgrounds can transition into bioinformatics careers.

Key skills for a career in bioinformatics

Successful bioinformatics professionals combine knowledge of biology with computational and analytical skills.

Common skills employers look for include:

• Programming skills (Python or R)
• Application development experience
• Statistical analysis and data modeling
• Understanding of molecular biology
• Big data and relational database skills
• Knowledge of genomics and sequencing technologies
• Industry awareness in biotech and life sciences

Perhaps most importantly, Rangarajan says, bioinformaticians must maintain a strong foundation in biology while building technical expertise.

“The bioinformatics analyst needs to know what to look for,” she says. “You need to understand the basics in addition to being a good programmer so you understand what a mismatch is. You need that foundation.”