Informatics can vastly assist progress in research and development in cell and molecular biology and biomedicine. However, many investigators are either unaware of the ways in which informatics can improve their research or find it inaccessible due to a feeling of "informatics anxiety." This sense of apprehension results from improper communication of the principles behind these approaches and of the value of the many tools available. In fact, many researchers are inherently distrustful of these tools. A more complete understanding of bioinformatics offered in A Bioinformatics Guide for Molecular Biologists will allow the reader to become comfortable with these techniques, encouraging their use-thus helping to make sense of the vast accumulation of data. To make these concepts more accessible, the editors approach the field of bioinformatics from the viewpoint of a molecular biologist, (1) arming the biologist with a basic understanding of the fundamental concepts in the field, (2) presenting approaches for using the tools from the standpoint of the data for which they are created, and (3) showing how the field of informatics is quickly adapting to the advancements in biology and biomedical technologies. All concepts are paired with recommendations for the appropriate programming environment and tools best suited to solve the particular problem at hand. It is a must-read for those interested in learning informatics techniques required for successful research and development in the laboratory.

The enormous complexity of biological systems at the molecular level must be answered with powerful computational methods. Computational biology is a young field, but has seen rapid growth and advancement over the past few decades. Surveying the progress made in this multidisciplinary field, the Handbook of Computational Molecular Biology offers comprehensive, systematic coverage of the various techniques and methodologies currently available. Accomplished researcher Srinivas Aluru leads a team of experts from around the world to produce this groundbreaking, authoritative reference. With discussions ranging from fundamental concepts to practical applications, this book details the algorithms necessary to solve novel problems and manage the massive amounts of data housed in biological databases throughout the world. Divided into eight sections for convenient searching, the handbook covers methods and algorithms for sequence alignment, string data structures, sequence assembly and clustering, genome-scale computational methods in comparative genomics, evolutionary and phylogenetic trees, microarrays and gene expression analysis, computational methods in structural biology, and bioinformatics databases and data mining. The Handbook of Computational Molecular Biology is the first resource to integrate coverage of the broad spectrum of topics in computational biology and bioinformatics. It supplies a quick-reference guide for easy implementation and provides a strong foundation for future discoveries in the field.

Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide to Mathematics in the Laboratory, Second Edition, provides an introduction to the myriad of laboratory calculations used in molecular biology and biotechnology. The book begins by discussing the use of scientific notation and metric prefixes, which require the use of exponents and an understanding of significant digits. It explains the mathematics involved in making solutions; the characteristics of cell growth; the multiplicity of infection; and the quantification of nucleic acids. It includes chapters that deal with the mathematics involved in the use of radioisotopes in nucleic acid research; the synthesis of oligonucleotides; the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method; and the development of recombinant DNA technology. Protein quantification and the assessment of protein activity are also discussed, along with the centrifugation method and applications of PCR in forensics and paternity testing. - Topics range from basic scientific notations to complex subjects like nucleic acid chemistry and recombinant DNA technology - Each chapter includes a brief explanation of the concept and covers necessary definitions, theory and rationale for each type of calculation - Recent applications of the procedures and computations in clinical, academic, industrial and basic research laboratories are cited throughout the text New to this Edition: - Updated and increased coverage of real time PCR and the mathematics used to measure gene expression - More sample problems in every chapter for readers to practice concepts

"In this book, Andy Baxevanis and Francis Ouellette . . . haveundertaken the difficult task of organizing the knowledge in thisfield in a logical progression and presenting it in a digestibleform. And they have done an excellent job. This fine text will makea major impact on biological research and, in turn, on progress inbiomedicine. We are all in their debt." —Eric Lander from the Foreword Reviews from the First Edition "...provides a broad overview of the basic tools for sequenceanalysis ... For biologists approaching this subject for the firsttime, it will be a very useful handbook to keep on the shelf afterthe first reading, close to the computer." —Nature Structural Biology "...should be in the personal library of any biologist who usesthe Internet for the analysis of DNA and protein sequencedata." —Science "...a wonderful primer designed to navigate the novice throughthe intricacies of in scripto analysis ... The accomplished genesearcher will also find this book a useful addition to theirlibrary ... an excellent reference to the principles ofbioinformatics." —Trends in Biochemical Sciences This new edition of the highly successful Bioinformatics:A Practical Guide to the Analysis of Genes and Proteinsprovides a sound foundation of basic concepts, with practicaldiscussions and comparisons of both computational tools anddatabases relevant to biological research. Equipping biologists with the modern tools necessary to solvepractical problems in sequence data analysis, the Second Editioncovers the broad spectrum of topics in bioinformatics, ranging fromInternet concepts to predictive algorithms used on sequence,structure, and expression data. With chapters written by experts inthe field, this up-to-date reference thoroughly covers vitalconcepts and is appropriate for both the novice and the experiencedpractitioner. Written in clear, simple language, the book isaccessible to users without an advanced mathematical or computerscience background. This new edition includes: All new end-of-chapter Web resources, bibliographies, andproblem sets Accompanying Web site containing the answers to the problems,as well as links to relevant Web resources New coverage of comparative genomics, large-scale genomeanalysis, sequence assembly, and expressed sequence tags A glossary of commonly used terms in bioinformatics andgenomics Bioinformatics: A Practical Guide to the Analysis of Genesand Proteins, Second Edition is essential reading forresearchers, instructors, and students of all levels in molecularbiology and bioinformatics, as well as for investigators involvedin genomics, positional cloning, clinical research, andcomputational biology.

In biological research, the amount of data available to researchers has increased so much over recent years, it is becoming increasingly difficult to understand the current state of the art without some experience and understanding of data analytics and bioinformatics. An Introduction to Bioinformatics with R: A Practical Guide for Biologists leads the reader through the basics of computational analysis of data encountered in modern biological research. With no previous experience with statistics or programming required, readers will develop the ability to plan suitable analyses of biological datasets, and to use the R programming environment to perform these analyses. This is achieved through a series of case studies using R to answer research questions using molecular biology datasets. Broadly applicable statistical methods are explained, including linear and rank-based correlation, distance metrics and hierarchical clustering, hypothesis testing using linear regression, proportional hazards regression for survival data, and principal component analysis. These methods are then applied as appropriate throughout the case studies, illustrating how they can be used to answer research questions. Key Features: · Provides a practical course in computational data analysis suitable for students or researchers with no previous exposure to computer programming. · Describes in detail the theoretical basis for statistical analysis techniques used throughout the textbook, from basic principles · Presents walk-throughs of data analysis tasks using R and example datasets. All R commands are presented and explained in order to enable the reader to carry out these tasks themselves. · Uses outputs from a large range of molecular biology platforms including DNA methylation and genotyping microarrays; RNA-seq, genome sequencing, ChIP-seq and bisulphite sequencing; and high-throughput phenotypic screens. · Gives worked-out examples geared towards problems encountered in cancer research, which can also be applied across many areas of molecular biology and medical research. This book has been developed over years of training biological scientists and clinicians to analyse the large datasets available in their cancer research projects. It is appropriate for use as a textbook or as a practical book for biological scientists looking to gain bioinformatics skills.

An overview of algorithms important to computational structural biology that addresses such topics as NMR and design and analysis of proteins.Using the tools of information technology to understand the molecular machinery of the cell offers both challenges and opportunities to computational scientists. Over the past decade, novel algorithms have been developed both for analyzing biological data and for synthetic biology problems such as protein engineering. This book explains the algorithmic foundations and computational approaches underlying areas of structural biology including NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance); X-ray crystallography; and the design and analysis of proteins, peptides, and small molecules. Each chapter offers a concise overview of important concepts, focusing on a key topic in the field. Four chapters offer a short course in algorithmic and computational issues related to NMR structural biology, giving the reader a useful toolkit with which to approach the fascinating yet thorny computational problems in this area. A recurrent theme is understanding the interplay between biophysical experiments and computational algorithms. The text emphasizes the mathematical foundations of structural biology while maintaining a balance between algorithms and a nuanced understanding of experimental data. Three emerging areas, particularly fertile ground for research students, are highlighted: NMR methodology, design of proteins and other molecules, and the modeling of protein flexibility. The next generation of computational structural biologists will need training in geometric algorithms, provably good approximation algorithms, scientific computation, and an array of techniques for handling noise and uncertainty in combinatorial geometry and computational biophysics. This book is an essential guide for young scientists on their way to research success in this exciting field.

This textbook introduces fundamental concepts of bioinformatics and computational biology to the students and researchers in biology, medicine, veterinary science, agriculture, and bioengineering . The respective chapters provide detailed information on biological databases, sequence alignment, molecular evolution, next-generation sequencing, systems biology, and statistical computing using R. The book also presents a case-based discussion on clinical, veterinary, agricultural bioinformatics, and computational bioengineering for application-based learning in the respective fields. Further, it offers readers guidance on reconstructing and analysing biological networks and highlights computational methods used in systems medicine and genome-wide association mapping of diseases. Given its scope, this textbook offers an essential introductory book on bioinformatics and computational biology for undergraduate and graduate students in the life sciences, botany, zoology, physiology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and genomic science as well as systems biology, bioengineering and the agricultural, and veterinary sciences.