• Explore databases and programs applicable in genetic engineering, proteomics, and related sectors.

In this Bioinformatics course, students learn how to apply computational and informatics knowledge to understand the mechanisms/how living things work at the molecular level. This course also teaches the definition of bioinformatics, history, and use of bioinformatics in general applications and in bioprocess technology. Students are also expected to be able to use the available Bioinformatics applications to align proteins/ enzymes (BLAST) and create models based on existing protein databases (SWIS modeler) and docking. The learning method used is a combination of lectures and independent assignments with case studies. Students are expected to be able to work independently with software obtained online using adequate laptops.

• Database

  • Introduction to biological databases: structure, organization, and types
  • Overview of databases for genomics, protein sequences, and metabolic pathways
  • Tools and platforms for accessing and managing biological data (e.g., GenBank, PDB, KEGG)

• Genomics

  • Fundamentals of genomics: sequencing, gene mapping, and genome annotation
  • Techniques in genomics: next-generation sequencing, CRISPR, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
  • Applications of genomics in personalized medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology

• Genetic Molecular

  • Molecular genetics concepts: gene expression, regulation, and mutation
  • Techniques for studying gene function and structure: PCR, electrophoresis, and DNA microarrays
  • Genetic disorders and their molecular basis

• Phylogeny

  • Introduction to phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary relationships
  • Methods of constructing phylogenetic trees: distance-based, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian approaches
  • Applications of phylogenetics in understanding evolutionary biology and species classification

• Protein Structure

  • Levels of protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures
  • Methods for studying protein structure: X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, cryo-EM
  • Relationship between protein structure and function in biological systems

• Metabolism and Tissues

  • Overview of cellular metabolism: catabolic and anabolic pathways
  • Key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and protein synthesis
  • The role of different tissues in metabolic processes: muscle, liver, adipose, and neural tissues
  • Regulation of metabolism and the impact of disorders like diabetes and obesity

• Shalini Suri, Bioinformatics, APH Publishing, 2006.
• Charles Staben & Staben, Bioinformatics: A Primer, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2005.