551-1295-00L Introduction to Bioinformatics: Concepts and Applications
Semester | Autumn Semester 2016 |
Lecturers | W. Gruissem, K. Bärenfaller, A. Caflisch, G. Capitani, J. Fütterer, M. Robinson, A. Wagner |
Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
Language of instruction | English |
Abstract | Storage, handling and analysis of large datasets have become essential in biological research. The course will introduce students to a number of applications of bioinformatics in biology. Freely accessible software tools and databases will be explained and explored in theory and praxis. |
Objective | Introduction to Bioinformatics I: Concepts and Applications (formerly Bioinformatics I) will provide students with the theoretical background of approaches to store and retrieve information from large databases. Concepts will be developed how DNA sequence information can be used to understand phylogentic relationships, how RNA sequence relates to structure, and how protein sequence information can be used for genome annotation and to predict protein folding and structure. Students will be introduced to quantitative methods for measuring gene expression and how this information can be used to model gene networks. Methods will be discussed to construct protein interaction maps and how this information can be used to simulate dynamic molecular networks. In addition to the theoretical background, the students will develop hands-on experiences with the bioinformatics methods through guided exercises. The course provides students from different backgrounds with basic training in bioinformatics approaches that have impact on biological, chemical and physics experimentation. Bioinformatics approaches draw significant expertise from mathematics, statistics and computational science. Although "Intoduction to Bioinformatics I" will focus on theory and praxis of bioinformatics approaches, the course provides an important foundation for the course "Introduction to Bioinformatics II: Fundamentals of computer science, modeling and algorithms" that will be offered in the following semester. |
Content | Bioinformatics I will cover the following topics: From genes to databases and information BLAST searches Prediction of gene function and regulation RNA structure prediction Gene expression analysis using microarrays Protein sequence and structure databases WWW for bioinformatics Protein sequence comparisons Proteomics and de novo protein sequencing Protein structure prediction Cellular and protein interaction networks Molecular dynamics simulation |