This text investigates the fundamental computational methods and biological databases required to analyze genomic and proteomic data. Arthur M. Lesk, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, provides a structured framework for understanding how computer science intersects with biological research. The book synthesizes complex algorithms with practical applications in sequence analysis, structural biology, and evolutionary modeling to equip students with necessary analytical skills.

Experts frequently cite this work as a foundational textbook for undergraduate and graduate students entering the field of bioinformatics. Readers often note the clarity of the prose and the effective balance between theoretical computer science concepts and their practical biological applications.