Our 2023 Bits in Bio survey sheds light on the current state of technology in biology, offering insights into the coding skills, tools, and practices prevalent among biodevelopers today.
When we talk about "biodevelopers," we're referring to those who code within the vast expanse of the life sciences sector. A significant 76% of our survey participants identify with this group, leaving the rest as either wet lab scientists or part of the "other" category.
Check out the survey yourself and feel free to download the anonymized results for your own analysis.
Python: The Undisputed Champion
Python continues to lead the pack among biodevelopers, with an overwhelming 93% using it over the past year for data analysis. Its ubiquity outshines other languages, with R (47%), shell languages like Bash/Powershell (44%), SQL (33%), and C++ (6%) trailing behind. Python's versatility makes it the go-to for everything from pipeline construction and machine learning models to web interface design.
Data Analysis: At the Heart of It All
Data analysis is by far the most common task; 41% of biodevelopers do it every day. Writing scripts and pipelines (18%), developing new tools (17%), and doing machine learning (13%) are far less common daily tasks. CSVs remain the go-to data format for analysis: 71% of incoming data and 66% of stored data are in CSVs. 93% of data analyzers use Python, but 47% also use R!
Machine Learning: A growing Mainstay in Modern Biology
Machine learning has transitioned from a promising innovation to a foundational tool in biology, with 64% of biodevelopers integrating it into their work. The majority of applications are in target identification and in silico screening and hit generation. Notably, GPT (with 65% adoption among those using ML) and protein-folding models like Alphafold and ESMFold (67%) exemplify the cutting-edge tools at the forefront of bioinformatics. With 77% of non-ML users expressing interest in adopting machine learning, its influence is poised to grow even further.
Lab Automation: The Future of the Bench
Lab automation is also growing in popularity, with 37% of respondents actively building automation tooling. This technology promises to revolutionize how experiments are conducted, offering precision and efficiency beyond traditional methods. The interest from those not yet using lab automation (43%) signals a growing appetite for more automated, high-throughput approaches in biological research.
A Global Community Driving Innovation
The biodeveloper landscape is as diverse as it is dynamic, with developers and innovators hailing from every corner of the globe. 25% of our survey respondents are from outside the US, underscoring the global nature of biological innovation. There’s also a range of educational backgrounds with 36% of respondents holding PhDs, 30% with Master's degrees, and the plurality with no post-graduate education. The professional backgrounds of these biodevelopers are equally varied, with 75% coming from industry and 23% from academia. This mix of experiences and viewpoints is a testament to the field's inclusivity and collaborative spirit.
The Bits in Bio community is a place for all people interested in the intersection of software and science. Regardless of physical or digital barriers, we offer a platform for all biodevelopers to share insights, collaborate on projects, and drive forward the innovation that defines our field. Whether you're in the industry, academia, or somewhere in between, joining the Bits in Bio community can open doors to new collaborations, learning opportunities, and the chance to be part of a global movement reshaping the future of biology.