4. Original Bioinformatics Definition
• It seemed to us that one of the defining
properties of life was information processing
in its various forms, e.g., information
accumulation during evolution, information
transmission from DNA to intra- and
intercellular processes, and the interpretation
of such information at multiple levels.
Hogeweg, P. The Roots of Bioinformatics in Theoretical Biology. PLoS Comput Bio. 2011.
5. National Center for Biotechnology
Information (NCBI)
• Bioinformatics
– Bioinformatics is the field of science in which
biology, computer science, and information
technology merge to form a single discipline.
• Computational Biology
– The actual process of analyzing and interpreting
data is referred to as computational biology.
6. Why Do We Need Bioinformatics?
http://www.philcallaway.ab.ca/images/Cartoons/privacy%20cartoon2.jpg
13. Bioinformatics in the News
• A New Bioinformatics System Improves Medical Diagnosis
– http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110628094833.
htm
• Pacific Biosciences Contributes Whole Genome Sequence
Data for German E. Coli Outbreak Strain and 11 Related
Strains for Comparative Analysis
– http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pacific-biosciences-
contributes-whole-genome-sequence-data-for-german-e-coli-
outbreak-strain-and-11-related-strains-for-comparative-analysis-
2011-07-06?reflink=MW_news_stmp
• Initiative Launched to Sequence 5,000 Insects
– http://www.genomeweb.com/sequencing/initiative-launched-
sequence-5000-insects
14. Preparing for a Career in
Bioinformatics
• Try a whole bunch of stuff!
• Don’t give up on math
• Learn/understand Computer Science
• Don’t forget, the biology is what people care
about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ3y8e676cw&feature=related
15. Where Can You Work In
Bioinformatics?
http://www.tomhcanderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/textminingacademia.jpg
http://www.freefoto.com/images/13/53/13_53_21---Sunset--Teesside-Industry_web.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydXLP3MlO58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJrpSvsFXFI
16. Gene Patenting
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6362525n
•Requirements for a patent
•Novelty, Usefulness, and Nonobvious
•Dr. Picard, through an intense genomic analysis of many patients, has
recently isolated a gene from humans that is responsible for providing
immunity to HIV. Recognizing the obvious therapeutic benefits this gene
might hold, he files a patent request with the US patent office.
•Should Dr. Picard’s patent be accepted?
•If Dr. Picard’s patent is accepted, what should other researchers and
companies be allowed to do with his gene (i.e., what kinds of research
and products can they develop)?
•What are the pros and cons of allowing Dr. Picard to patent his
discovery?
18. Central Dogma of Biology
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0122429/pictures/centraldogma2.gif
The central dogma of molecular biology deals with the detailed residue-
by-residue transfer of sequential information. It states that information
cannot be transferred back from protein to either protein or nucleic acid.
Crick F (August 1970). "Central dogma of molecular biology.". Nature 227 (5258): 561–3.
20. The Case for DNA
http://www.visionlearning.com/library/modules/mid149/Image/VLObject-3756-080922120939.jpg
21. The Structure of DNA
Experiment: Watson J.D. and Crick F.H.C. (1953). "A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic
Acid" (PDF). Nature 171 (4356): 737–738.
Image: http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/forensics/10-dna/dna_molecule.gif
