On today’s feature of The News at GeneArche, we welcome Ms. Shrushti Salunke, our Bioinformatics Scientist. From her beginnings as an aspiring bioinformatician to the curiosity that drives her, she shares her ongoing journey at GeneArche.

For those who may not be familiar, what does a bioinformatician actually do?

A bioinformatician works at the intersection of biology, computer science and mathematics to analyze large complex biological data like DNA, RNA and proteins.

In healthcare and consumer genomics, this is a very critical role where they identify genetic variations that may influence an individual’s health, nutritional needs, or lifestyle traits. In simple words, bioinformaticians help turn complex genetic data into practical insights for better healthcare decisions.

How did you get into bioinformatics and what continues to spark your curiosity in the field?

I was always curious about the biological processes happening in the human body, but what interested me the most was going deeper into the biomolecule level – their sequences and how they interact with each other. These small interactions are what drive bigger changes in biological processes, and I found that really fascinating.

What drew me to bioinformatics was that it doesn’t just stop at research. It gives a way to apply this knowledge in a meaningful way, like turning genomic data into insights that can actually help people. That mix of curiosity about the science and the chance to see real applications is what keeps me motivated in this field.

We often hear about “Big Data” and “AI” in healthcare. What impact do you see in your day to day work and is it really the silver bullet people expect?

Big Data and AI have definitely made a big impact in my day-to-day work. Genomic data is huge and complex, and these tools make it possible to process and analyze it much faster than traditional methods. AI, in particular, helps in spotting patterns and connections in the data that would be very hard to find on our own.

I don’t think of them as a “silver bullet,” but more as powerful tools. The real value comes when we combine AI with strong biological knowledge and careful interpretation. In that way, Big Data and AI are helping us move closer to more personalized and effective healthcare solutions.

Can you tell us a little about your journey at GeneArche and what you’re currently working on?

GeneArche gave me the chance to apply my bioinformatics knowledge to real-world healthcare problems and to work with actual genomic datasets. As a bioinformatics scientist here, I work with data from different sequencing techniques, study the health effects of genetic variations, and also explore how AI can be applied at the intersection of healthcare and biology.

Since it’s a startup, I also get to be involved in many other aspects like supporting application development, contributing to database design, and managing data. This variety has been a great learning experience and has helped me grow both technically and professionally.

If DNA is like a code to be unravelled then what’s the most fascinating pattern you’ve come across so far?

What fascinated me the most is how even a small variation in DNA can have a big impact. It’s not only about health conditions but also about traits and behaviors, like how someone responds to food, exercise, or even taste. Seeing how tiny changes in the code can shape such different outcomes is what makes working with genomic data so interesting for me.

What adds to the excitement is that these patterns are not just scientific findings – they can actually be used to guide real-life choices for better health and lifestyle. Knowing that the work we do can directly help people understand themselves a little better makes it even more meaningful.

Final question for you, what makes GeneArche’s approach towards wellness stand out in your view?

What makes GeneArche’s approach stand out is the way it connects genomic information directly to healthcare and wellness. By looking at the effect of variations linked to different predispositions, we can understand how a person’s body may respond in certain situations. Based on that, we provide healthcare and lifestyle recommendations that are more personalized.

This focus on turning complex genetic data into practical, easy-to-follow guidance is what makes the approach unique and meaningful in my opinion.

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