In this course we are going to study issues regarding the computational sequence analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. The course lessons will deal mainly with the basic computational and statistical methods that are used in bioinformatics. These approaches will be presented in the context of the relevant biological topics. The hands-on sessions in the Silicon Graphics laboratory include practical application of the various techniques to specific biological questions. At the end of the course you will be able to use analysis tools including such as, pairwise sequence alignment, multiple sequence alignment, search for motifs in sequences, RNA secondary structure prediction, protein secondary structure prediction, classification of proteins within families, and more.
Weekly home exercises throughout the semester.
The projects are presented to the class during the last two weeks of the semester and also submitted in writing. The deadline for the latter is August 31. Subject to the instructor's approval regarding volume and subject. The course's character is biological. The theoretical parts of the course are given so that you will understand the rationale behind those tools, and learn to use them in a knowledgeable fashion.