Introduction to Bioinformatics

This course is intended for anyone who needs bioinformatics in their research or studies but does not quite know what methods to use and how the methods work.

Aims:
One major goal is to introduce bioinformatics data. You will see different types of data (DNA sequences, protein sequences, protein structures etc.) and learn of the major database sites and their services in the Internet. We also provide a commented list of selected minor databases to show the variety of data that exists for specialized purposes.
In addition to data, you will learn many analysis methods for this data. The most important tasks to learn in this course would be sequence comparison and alignment, and understanding similarity searches in databases (searches based on sequence comparisons). A third major group of learning goals is related to protein structures. After this course you should be able to understand where these structures come from, and have some experience about how to evaluate them, how to classify them and how to visualize them.

Means available:
• reading material to explain the theory behind the methods
• hands-on lessons on the use of bioinformatics tools
• carefully selected links to on-line databases and tools
• written assignments and personal on-line tuition
• practical computer work (a personal project)

Skills needed:
• a basic understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology
• various computer skills
• no experience in programming is required