Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary science that uses mathematical approaches and computer-aided methods to address questions from bioscientific research, especially those at a molecular level. It makes a significant contribution to gaining numerous fundamental insights and developing new applications for modern biology and medicine. Many applications and research areas in the life sciences are inconceivable without bioinformatics methods: DNA sequence analysis, comparative genome analysis, biological databases, microarray experiments, structure and function elucidation of proteins, molecular docking and drug discovery as well as systems biology are among the most important.

Today, bioinformatics students are enrolled at around 30 universities. The members of the Division are closely involved in this development by contributing to training and the organisation of teaching. However, they also always recognise the need to adapt the range of courses on offer in the light of rapidly changing demand. As early as 1985, the first scientific Conference in Germany was held in Braunschweig, which focussed on the potential of information technology for biological research. This eventually developed into the German Conference on Bioinformatics (GCB), which has since been held annually at various university locations in Germany. With around 300 participants, the Conference enjoys great interest and has long been the largest national event of its kind in Europe.

The Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V. (DECHEMA), the Gesellschaft für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie e.V. (GBM), the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology e.V. (GBM), the German Society for Bioinformatics e.V. (DECHEMA) and the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology e.V. (GBM) have organised the GCB. (GBM), the German Chemical Society (GDCh) and the Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI) agreed in May 2014 to merge the activities of their Divisions in the field of computer science in the life sciences into the Joint Working Group Bioinformatics. The members of the previous Bioinformatics Divisions are now part of the Joint Working Group Bioinformatics. The German Society for Computer Science, Biometry and Epidemiology (GMDS) joined in autumn 2015 and the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM) joined in May 2019.

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The Joint Working Group Bioinformatics is not a Division within the meaning of the GDCh Division Statutes.

The composition of the current Advisory Board can be found here

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Interested members of the Divisions "Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V. (DECHEMA)", "Gesellschaft für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie e.V. (GBM)", "German Chemical Society e.V. (GDCh)", "Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI)" and the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie e.V. (GMDS)" can become members of the Joint Working Group at no additional cost.


The application for membership can be found here.