Bioinformatics in 2026: What to Expect
- 9th January 2026
- Posted by: Breige McBride
- Category: Bioinformatics
If you would like to know what to expect from bioinformatics in 2026, you are in the right place. As a leading bioinformatics services provider, Fios Genomics has a unique vantage point on how the field is evolving. Each year we tap into the expertise of our diverse team of bioinformaticians to determine their expectations for the year ahead. Their insights reveal the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping bioinformatics in 2026
What skills will be most in demand for bioinformaticians in 2026?
Our experts agree that proficiency with artificial intelligence is no longer optional, it’s essential. Bioinformaticians will need to do more than just use AI tools; they must critically evaluate outputs from Large Language Models (LLMs), validate results, and apply these technologies strategically. Beyond that, the ability to leverage LLMs to uncover new data sources and clearly communicate methodologies will be a key differentiator for bioinformaticians in 2026.
There was also strong agreement around the importance of cloud computing, particularly the need for bioinformaticians to have a certain comfort level with cloud computing infrastructure. As datasets grow in size and complexity, the ability to design, deploy, and manage bioinformatics workflows in cloud environments will become a core competency.
A final topic that emerged was multi-omics analysis. Our team notes that multi-omics data sets are now more commonly used in research projects, and that as multi-omics data generation has become more economical, demand for integrated analyses is rising. Therefore, the ability to handle heterogeneous data and to understand and compare results across data sets is essential for driving deeper insights and advancing research.
What will be the main challenges in the field of Bioinformatics in 2026, and why?
We ask our team this question every year, and time and again data growth is brought up. As biological datasets continue to expand in size and complexity, analyses become increasingly computationally demanding. This is an ongoing challenge within the bioinformatics industry, which is one reason why cloud infrastructure is no longer a luxury, but an essential.
Also, a challenge some bioinformaticians may face this year is offering added value when LLMs are capable of providing answers to biological questions. Bioinformaticians must differentiate themselves through deep domain expertise and scientific judgment. While AI can assist with analyses, it cannot decide which questions to ask or validate whether results make biological sense. That critical thinking remains firmly in human hands.
Within our bioinformatics team there is also a belief that bioinformatics in the pharmaceutical industry hasn’t caught up with certain advances in the field. For example, making use of protein structure prediction tools such as AlphaFold, pathway modelling and the annotation information now available for candidate targets. In 2026, integrating these advances and data sets into research pipelines is a challenge that many bioinformaticians may face.
What future advances in bioinformatics (in 2026 and beyond) are you looking forward to, and why?
Our team are looking forward to various advances in bioinformatics. Some are keen to see if there will be an increased interest in spatial transcriptomics. They expect that as spatial transcriptomics technology advances, this will bring increasing understanding of how to fully utilise spatial transcriptomics data in drug development.
Others are interested to see how AlphaGenome and similar prediction tools for variant effects will be adopted, as these could potentially open the way for personalised medicine for cancer, or for rare genetic disorders, with treatment based on individual genomic profiles.
Bioinformatics moving towards systems biology was also brought up, specifically in relation to how AI and other computational methods will be used for modelling complex biological systems. This shift could transform how researchers understand disease mechanisms and design therapeutic strategies, making 2026 a pivotal year for integrated, data-driven biology.
Summary
The insights from Fios Genomics bioinformaticians suggest that bioinformatics in 2026 will be defined by increasing technical complexity alongside the need for sound scientific judgement. Advances in AI, cloud computing, and multi-omics analysis are presenting challenges. However, they also provide new opportunities for bioinformaticians to extract meaningful insight from larger and more complex data sets. Bioinformaticians who can apply these tools effectively, while grounding their analyses in biological understanding, will be well positioned to drive impactful research in 2026 and beyond.
If you have a research project which could benefit from robust bioinformatics analyses coupled with sound scientific judgement, we are ready to help.
Our large experienced team of bioinformaticians have deep domain expertise in various areas, from genetics to virology. This allows us to understand your data and recognise the subtle insights that will advance your research. Contact us now to discuss your next project, by using the form below!
We we would like to thank our Fios Genomics bioinformaticians for sharing their insights and making this blog possible.
Author: Breige McBride, Marketing Manager, Fios Genomics
Reviewed by Fios Genomics Bioinformatics Experts to ensure accuracy
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