Bioinformatics

Aim

The course aims to provide basic knowledge in bioinformatics, namely the theories and practical applications of computer-based methods for the analysis of DNA and protein sequences as well as for studies of protein structures. This involves both theoretical understanding and practical skills in handling methods. The course will also show how the subject is developed through examples from research frontline. After the course you should be able to:

• use the most important open databases for literature, sequence data and structural information,
• perform comparisons of sequences and give good interpretations of the results,
• extract important structural information about genes, proteins, and genomes
• discuss the possibilities and limitations of bioinformatics tools,
• plan for new bioinformatics problems and to solve them by combining the tools you learn in this course.

Content

Computer-based methods for analyzing DNA and protein sequences and for studying the structure of proteins. Databases and methods for database searches, including SRS (a user-friendly database interface). Sequence comparisons (both DNA and protein level). Multiple sequence comparisons and multiple sequence fitting (alignment). Sequence patterns and how to characterize them. Protein domains. Use of bioinformatics for functional characterization of genes and proteins. Secondary structure and post-translational modifications. Parts of the course highlights both the underlying theoretical models and biological and biotechnological applications of the methods and computer programs are presented