Sequence alignment is trying to match a DNA or amino acid sequence, even though the sequences might not be exactly the same, otherwise it would be a straight up string-search algorithm.
This is fundamental in bioinformatics for two reasons:
The NCBI free-to-use BLAST server: blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi. Having a centralized query server is fundamental, because the gain of sequence alignment really comes from having one huge database to link information together, which is best centralized.

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Computational biology is an interdisciplinary field that applies computational techniques and tools to analyze and model biological systems, processes, and data. It involves the use of algorithms, mathematical models, and statistical methods to understand biological phenomena, particularly at the molecular and cellular levels. Key areas of focus within computational biology include: 1. **Genomics**: Analyzing DNA sequences to understand genetic variation, gene function, and evolutionary relationships. This includes tasks like genome assembly, annotation, and comparison.