Key words
T490, B110
Objectives
In the past five years bioinformatics evolved from an obscure academic specialisation towards a keyword of 21ste-century biology and biotechnology. During this period the human genetic code as well of the genome of a number of model organisms was unravelled.. This generated a huge amount of biological data. DNA data banks are linked worldwide with RNA and protein banks and DNA chips generate expression patterns and time correlations of thousands of genes. With special software “data-mining” is feasible: searching new (patentable) genes and gen products. This facilitates the creation of new transgenic organisms and the development of new medicine and functional food.
Topics
A short theoretical introduction is followed by exercises. On the end of each exercise the students receive a problem to solve. During the exercises free available web based bioinformatics software is used. Content of the exercises:
- Structure of DNA, protein and other biological data banks. Searching for sequences and structures;
- Alignments (pair wise alignment, multiple alignment, BLAST, local alignment, global alignment,…) and their practical use;
- Restriction analysis and PCR primer development
- Analysis of DNA and protein sequences.
These exercises illustrate other biotechnological courses and offer an extra dimension to a thesis
Prerequisites
Biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics, informatics
Final Objectives
- Insight in DNA, RNA en protein data banks, ability to search, analyse and process sequences and to understand search results.
- Ability to analyse a problem and to choose the right tools to solve it.
- Ability to find the links with other courses
Materials used
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Powerpoint, computer, internet tools
Study costs
Cost: 10.0 EUR
10 €
Study guidance
Permanent possibility for questioning, guidance and coaching.
Teaching Methods
Practical exercises in computer room, visit to bio-informatics division of a biotech company
Assessment
Digital reports of exercises
Lecturer(s)
Hans MOTTE
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