New BMI Classes Offered

BMI 591 Information Challenges in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics

The growth in the amount of biological sequence, structure, and function data has led to discipline-changing challenges and broad classes of problems from an information perspective. We will explore the latest approaches to these challenges and discover how molecular biology is evolving from a technique and technology-driven science to an information-driven science. Topics to be discussed include an overview of information-theoretic approaches to modeling and measuring biological information, the information needs and research approaches of molecular biologists, knowledge representation issues in molecular biology, approaches to data extraction from the literature, visualization tools and interface design problems, and library and information services to support molecular biologists. The class takes an active approach to research and is expected to be highly participatory.

Instructor: Dr. Graciela Gonzalez; Spring 2007, MW 9:15-10:30 AM; BYAC 190

BMI 591 - Seminar: Genomic Tracks of Gene Regulation

The cascade of processes involved in gene expression offer a variety of different levels to control gene expression involving interactions with different structures and molecules that leave signatures/tracks on the nucleic acid sequence. In this seminar we will deal with the diversity of gene regulatory mechanisms on various levels and the corresponding diversity of algorithms which attempt to find their genomic signatures. The interdisciplinary layout of this course with students from life sciences and computer science will allow us to discuss the mechanisms of gene regulation, the theoretical concepts of signature detection and the relevance of both for the progress of research in this field.

Instructor: Dr. Sonja Prohaska; Spring 2007, MW 12:15 - 1:30 PM; ED 220