Job Description:F.No.11/10(1)/929 Qualifications: Candidates should have Ph.D. degree. If Ph.D. candidates are not available at least Post Graduate degree with GATE/NET qualification is a must. Walk-in-Interview on 19.12.2013 at 2.30 P.M. to 5.30 P.M .. at Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology: Bhopal For more details,please visit website:http://www.manit.ac.in/manitbhopal/Year2013/Recruitment/Contract_faculty/contract%20faculty%202013-2014.pdf

For more @ http://www.manit.ac.in/manitbhopal/Year2013/Recruitment/Contract_faculty/contract%20faculty%202013-2014.pdf

Web address @ :http://www.manit.ac.in

What Are lncRNAs?

lncRNAs are RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that do not code for proteins. Despite their non-coding nature, they play diverse roles in gene regulation, including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional control, and post-transcriptional processing. Unlike messenger RNAs (mRNAs), lncRNAs often function as scaffolds, decoys, or guides in cellular machinery, influencing biological processes such as cell differentiation, immune response, and even cancer metastasis.

Challenges in lncRNA Research

Identifying and understanding lncRNAs pose unique challenges:

1. High Sequence Variability: Unlike protein-coding genes, lncRNAs exhibit low sequence conservation across species, making functional predictions difficult.
2. Low Expression Levels: lncRNAs are often expressed at low levels, complicating their detection in transcriptomic data.
3. Diverse Functions: The multifunctional nature of lncRNAs requires advanced computational tools to decipher their roles in complex networks.

Bioinformatics: A Crucial Ally in lncRNA Research

Bioinformatics bridges the gap between raw biological data and meaningful insights, making it indispensable in lncRNA research. Here’s how:

1. Identification and Annotation

High-throughput sequencing technologies like RNA-seq generate vast amounts of data. Bioinformatics tools such as StringTie, Cufflinks, and HISAT2 help assemble and annotate lncRNAs from this data. Additionally, databases like NONCODE, LNCipedia, and Ensembl provide curated repositories of lncRNA sequences and annotations.

2. Functional Prediction

Bioinformatics algorithms predict the potential functions of lncRNAs by analyzing their interactions with DNA, RNA, and proteins. Tools like LncRNA2Function and RIblast utilize sequence motifs and secondary structure predictions to hypothesize about the roles of specific lncRNAs.

3. Network Construction

lncRNAs often act as regulatory hubs. Bioinformatics platforms such as Cytoscape enable the visualization of lncRNA-mediated networks, elucidating their roles in pathways like cell cycle regulation and apoptosis.

4. Epigenetic Studies

lncRNAs are known to interact with chromatin-modifying complexes, influencing gene expression epigenetically. Tools like ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq, combined with computational pipelines, identify these interactions and map them to the genome.

5. Clinical Applications

Bioinformatics aids in the discovery of lncRNA biomarkers for diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Machine learning models analyze differential expression profiles, helping prioritize lncRNAs with therapeutic potential.

Case Study: lncRNAs in Cancer Research

lncRNAs such as HOTAIR and MALAT1 have been implicated in cancer progression. Bioinformatics analyses have revealed their roles in promoting metastasis and altering the tumor microenvironment. For example, transcriptome analysis in cancer patients identifies lncRNA expression signatures, enabling precision medicine approaches.

Future Directions

The fusion of bioinformatics with experimental biology is unlocking the secrets of lncRNAs. Advances in artificial intelligence, single-cell sequencing, and structural modeling promise to overcome current limitations. Here are some promising directions:

• Integrative Analysis: Combining multi-omics data to understand the interplay of lncRNAs with other biomolecules.
• CRISPR Screens: Leveraging bioinformatics to design CRISPR-based functional screens for lncRNAs.
• Therapeutic Development: Using bioinformatics to design lncRNA-based therapeutics, including antisense oligonucleotides and RNA interference tools.

Conclusion

lncRNAs are the hidden gems of the genome, and bioinformatics is the key to unearthing their full potential. As research progresses, lncRNAs could pave the way for novel diagnostics, targeted therapies, and personalized medicine, revolutionizing our approach to complex diseases.

The journey into the world of lncRNAs is only beginning, and bioinformatics will continue to play a pivotal role in decoding these molecular mysteries. Whether you’re a researcher, clinician, or bioinformatics enthusiast, the study of lncRNAs offers a fascinating frontier of discovery.

Yau Group develops statistical and computational methods for the analysis of genomic datasets with a particular interest in cancer sequencing applications and the use of Bayesian Statistics.

Yau Group are currently have projects in somatic mutation analysis of heterogeneous cancers, data fusion or integration techniques and single cell genomics.

More @ http://www.well.ox.ac.uk/~cyau/index.html

To fully leverage these opportunities, bioinformaticians require specialized tools and databases. This blog highlights essential resources for mycology research, focusing on databases, tools, and platforms tailored for fungal biology.

1. Fungal Databases

1.1. MycoCosm

Website: MycoCosm
Developed by the DOE Joint Genome Institute, MycoCosm is a comprehensive portal for fungal genomics. It offers genomic and transcriptomic data for a wide range of fungi, including saprobes, pathogens, and symbionts.

• Key Features: Genome browsers, comparative genomics tools, and functional annotations.
• Best For: Large-scale studies on fungal evolution and ecology.

1.2. FungiDB

Website: FungiDB
FungiDB is an integrated genomic resource for fungal pathogens and non-pathogens. It provides access to genome sequences, transcriptomic data, and functional annotations.

• Key Features: Advanced search options, BLAST, and pathway analysis tools.
• Best For: Studying fungal pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions.

1.3. Index Fungorum

Website: Index Fungorum
This nomenclatural database provides information on the scientific names of fungi. It’s an essential resource for taxonomists and researchers focused on fungal biodiversity.

• Key Features: Taxonomic hierarchy and synonymy tracking.
• Best For: Identifying and classifying fungal species.

1.4. UNITE

Website: UNITE
UNITE is a specialized database for fungal ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) sequences, often used in fungal identification and phylogenetics.

• Key Features: Curated reference datasets and community annotations.
• Best For: Environmental mycology and microbial ecology studies.

2. Analytical Tools

2.1. Funannotate

Repository: GitHub - Funannotate
Funannotate is a genome annotation tool designed for fungi. It supports tasks like gene prediction, functional annotation, and orthology analysis.

• Best For: Annotating newly sequenced fungal genomes.

2.2. BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs)

Website: BUSCO
BUSCO evaluates genome assembly and annotation completeness using orthologs. It includes a fungal-specific dataset.

• Best For: Assessing the quality of fungal genome assemblies.

2.3. Pathogen-Host Interactions Database (PHI-base)

Website: PHI-base
PHI-base is a manually curated resource containing information on pathogen-host interactions, including fungal pathogens.

• Best For: Exploring virulence factors and host-pathogen relationships.

3. Visualization Platforms

3.1. Cytoscape

Website: Cytoscape
A powerful tool for visualizing molecular interaction networks, Cytoscape can be used to study protein-protein interactions, gene networks, and metabolic pathways in fungi.

• Best For: Network biology and functional genomics.

3.2. iTOL (Interactive Tree of Life)

Website: iTOL
iTOL is an interactive tool for visualizing phylogenetic trees.

• Best For: Displaying fungal phylogenies and comparing evolutionary relationships.

4. Community Resources

4.1. Mycological Society of America (MSA)

Website: MSA
The MSA promotes fungal research and provides access to resources, conferences, and publications.

• Best For: Networking with fungal researchers and accessing recent studies.

4.2. OpenFungi

Website: OpenFungi
OpenFungi is an open-source initiative providing fungal genomic and transcriptomic datasets for research and education.

• Best For: Sharing and accessing public fungal datasets.

5. Genomics Workflows

5.1. Galaxy

Website: Galaxy Project
Galaxy offers a web-based platform for reproducible bioinformatics workflows, including tools for fungal genome and transcriptome analysis.

• Best For: User-friendly analysis pipelines without requiring coding skills.

5.2. Snakemake

Repository: Snakemake
A flexible pipeline management tool that supports fungal data processing and analysis.

• Best For: Custom workflows for large-scale fungal datasets.

Conclusion

Fungal research is a rapidly growing field with vast implications for medicine, agriculture, and industry. For bioinformaticians, the availability of specialized resources—databases, tools, and community platforms—opens doors to innovative discoveries. Whether you are investigating fungal genomics, studying host-pathogen interactions, or exploring fungal biodiversity, the resources outlined above will empower your research journey.

Dive into these resources and help unravel the mysteries of the fungal kingdom!

No. of Posts and Specialization: 1(UR)

Educational Qualification:

(i) Good academic record with a Ph.D. Degree in the concerned /allied /relevant disciplines.

(ii) The Ph.D. Degree shall be a mandatory qualification for all candidates to be appointed as Associate Professor through direct recruitment.

(iii) A Master‟s Degree with at least 55% marks (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed).

(iv) A minimum of eight years of experience of teaching and /or research in an academic /research position equivalent to that of Assistant Professor in a University, College or Accredited Research Institution/Industry excluding the period of Ph.D research with evidence of published work and a minimum of 5 publications as books and /or research papers in refereed journals only/policy papers.

(v) Contribution to educations innovation, design of new curricula and courses and technology-mediated teaching learning process with evidence of having guided doctoral candidates and research students.

(vi) A minimum score as stipulated in the Academic Performance Indicator (API) based performance Based Appraisal System (PBAS), set out in this notification in as mentioned in the advertisement.

Send your application to the A.R (Estt.Teaching), M.D.University, Rohtak on or before December 23, 2013.

For more details: http://www.mdurohtak.ac.in/pdf/Notices_Pdf/new_notice/Teaching%20Vacancy%20%28ADVT.%20No.%20PR-54%20of%202013%29.pdf

Last Apply Date: 23 Dec 2013

1. Understand the Landscape

Before diving into applications, take the time to understand the bioinformatics job market. Common roles include:

• Bioinformatics Analyst/Scientist: Focused on data analysis and interpretation.
• Computational Biologist: Combines computational techniques with biological research.
• Data Scientist in Genomics: Applies machine learning and statistical models to genomic data.
• Software Developer in Bioinformatics: Designs and develops tools and pipelines for biological research.

Familiarize yourself with the key industries hiring bioinformaticians, such as academia, biotech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and agriculture.

2. Build a Strong Foundation

Bioinformatics demands a diverse skill set. Ensure you have a solid foundation in the following areas:

• Programming Skills: Proficiency in Python, R, or Perl is often required. Familiarity with tools like Bash scripting and version control systems (e.g., Git) is a plus.
• Statistics and Data Analysis: Knowledge of statistical methods, machine learning, and data visualization is crucial.
• Biological Knowledge: Understanding genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics will help you communicate effectively with biologists.
• Specialized Tools and Databases: Be comfortable using tools like BLAST, Bowtie, and databases like NCBI and Ensembl.

3. Create a Winning Resume and Portfolio

Highlight your technical skills, biological knowledge, and relevant experience. Tips for a standout application:

• Tailor your resume to each job, emphasizing skills mentioned in the job description.
• Showcase your experience with real-world datasets by linking to your GitHub profile or online portfolio.
• Include details of any publications, presentations, or significant projects.

4. Network Actively

Networking is often the key to discovering opportunities. Here’s how to build connections:

• Attend Conferences and Workshops: Events like ISMB or specialized bioinformatics workshops are great for meeting professionals.
• Engage Online: Join LinkedIn groups, participate in bioinformatics forums, and follow relevant hashtags on Twitter.
• Leverage Alumni Networks: Connect with alumni from your university who are working in the field.

5. Gain Relevant Experience

Experience is a major factor for hiring managers. Ways to enhance your profile include:

• Internships: Seek out internships in research labs or biotech companies.
• Collaborations: Volunteer to work on projects with professors or peers.
• Open Source Contributions: Participate in bioinformatics software development on platforms like GitHub.

6. Prepare for Interviews

Bioinformatics interviews often combine technical and behavioral questions. Prepare by:

• Reviewing Key Concepts: Refresh your knowledge of algorithms, sequence analysis, and statistical methods.
• Practicing Coding: Be ready to solve coding challenges or discuss code snippets.
• Understanding the Organization: Research their recent projects, publications, or products.
• Preparing Questions: Demonstrate interest by asking about their tools, workflows, or team structure.

7. Stay Resilient and Persistent

Job hunting can be a long process, but persistence pays off. Tips to keep moving forward:

• Keep improving your skills by taking online courses or certifications.
• Stay updated with advancements in bioinformatics by following journals and blogs.
• Apply to multiple positions and don’t get discouraged by rejections. Each application is a learning experience.

Closing Thoughts

Landing a bioinformatics job requires a mix of technical expertise, networking, and resilience. By understanding the market, showcasing your skills effectively, and continuously learning, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding career in this dynamic field. Remember, the key to cracking the code is perseverance—stay curious, stay determined, and success will follow.

NOTIFICATION FOR FACULTY RECRUITMENT – 2013

(Faculty openings in Technology, Science, Architecture and Management at NIT Calicut, Kerala)

National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kerala, established under Act XXIX/ 2007of the Parliament is one of the leading technological institutions in the Country with nearly 6000 students enrolled for various UG, PG and Ph.D. programmes in Technology, Science, Architecture and Management. The Institute invites applications from Indian nationals, possessing consistent excellent academic record, commitment to quality teaching and potential for carrying out outstanding research, for the post of Assistant Professors in various departments against the backlog reserved vacancies for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Communities (OBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and also under open merit quota as detailed below. Candidates belonging to SC, ST and OBC desirous of considering for selection under UR category also shall specifically indicate so in column 4.

Reservation quota for PWDs will be counted against the respective community. Young, meritorious, dynamic and student friendly academicians are welcome to join hands with the existing team in their effort to transform this Institute to a world class educational institution.

Candidates possessing Ph.D. degree will be considered for appointment on contract basis initially.

They will be considered for movement to AGP `7000 after one year of satisfactory performance.

Meritorious candidates possessing M.Tech./M.Phil. (*) with remarkably good potential to carry out outstanding research and already pursuing Ph.D. or aspiring to pursue Ph.D. will also be considered for appointment on contract, initially for a period of 3 years, extendable for a further period of 2 years on a year to year basis or till the candidate acquires Ph.D. degree whichever is earlier. Renewal of contract
will be done on an annual basis, subject to satisfactory progress of Ph.D. work, good conduct and good performance in teaching. Faculty appointed on contract basis will not be treated as regular staff till they are regularized, subject to the conditions stated earlier. The Institute has adopted 4-tier flexible faculty structure recommended by MHRD.

More Info : http://www.nitc.ac.in/index.php/?url=content/submenu/2345/5

NAME OF THE POST : SRF/JRF (Four Posts only)

DURATION : Indicated with the respective project mentioned below:

NAME OF THE PROJECT : As Mentioned below:

1. Serological diversity and molecular characterization of Dichelobector nodusus and development of vaccine against virulent footroot funded by NAIP. (Tenable upto 31.03.2014)

2. Development of oral vaccine against Clostridium perfringenes employing translational fusion of immunodominant epitopes of beta toxin with heat labile entertoxin B funded by DBT. (Tenable upto 25.02.2014)

3. Indo-Norwegian project, “Evaluation of major porins, ompC and ompR of Areomonas hydrophila as potential vaccine candidates and identification and characterization of immune genes of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita” (Tenable upto 31.03.2014)

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: For JRF- M.Sc/M.Tech in any subject of Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

For SRF- M.Sc/M.Tech in any subject of Biological Sciences/Life Sciences with 2 years of Research Experience.

JOB DESCRIPTION : The Candidate should have experience in gene Expression, protein purification, molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics
EMOLUMENTS : SRF: Rs. 18,000/- per month consolidated plus 30% HRA if /NET/GATE qualified otherwise Rs. 14,000/- per month consolidated + 30% HRA.

JRF: Rs. 16,000/- per month consolidated + 30% HRA if NET/GATE qualified otherwise Rs. 12,000/- per month consolidated + 30% HRA

SCIENTIST NAME : Dr. Lalit C. Garg, SS-VII (Gene Regulation Lab)

SCIENTIST’S EMAIL : lalit@nii.ac.in

WALK IN INTERVIEW ON : October 31st, 2013

REGISTRATION OF CANDIDATES: 10.30 AM to 11.00 AM

Advertisement: http://www1.nii.res.in/sites/default/files/project-Dr.Lalit-31oct2013.pdf

Yet, for many students, biologists, and even computer scientists, the question is: “Where do I begin?” With so many platforms, books, and tutorials available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

To make it easier, I’ve compiled 10 excellent resources — ranging from beginner-friendly introductions to advanced computational genomics courses. Many of these are freely available, created by pioneers in the field, and widely used in classrooms and research labs worldwide.

Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to strengthen your foundations, these courses will help you build the skills needed to analyze biological data, design workflows, and think computationally about complex biological systems.

1. HarvardX Data Analysis for Genomics by Rafael Irizarry

From the almighty Rafa, this set of online courses (via edX/HarvardX) is a classic starting point for genomic data science and bioinformatics.

2. Applied Computational Genomics – Aaron Quinlan

Aaron Quinlan (creator of bedtools and many other tools) has made his course materials open. A practical, tool-driven genomics introduction.

3. Bioinformatics Algorithms (Coursera + Companion Book)

Find the highly visual video classes on Coursera, backed by the popular Bioinformatics Algorithms book.

4. The Biostar Handbook

Not a course per se, but a hands-on manual by Istvan (founder of Biostars.org) that’s even used in classes at Penn State.

5. Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (by Shirley Liu)

A comprehensive introduction from Shirley Liu’s lab (Harvard DFCI). Covers both theory and computational practice.

6. Data Carpentry: Genomics Workshops

Community-driven training workshops that focus on practical, reproducible research. I was honored to serve as curriculum committee chair here.

7. Computational Genomics: Applied Comparative Genomics

From the Schatz Lab — applied comparative genomics with real-world data.

8. Introduction to Computational Biology (Mike Love, creator of DESeq2)

This course bridges statistics, biology, and computation — a solid primer for anyone entering computational biology.

9. MIT Computational Biology (6.047 / 6.878 / HST.507) by Manolis Kellis

Covers genomes, networks, evolution, and health. A deep-dive from MIT’s OpenCourseWare archive.

10. An Introduction to Applied Bioinformatics

An interactive textbook with Python code, designed for practical applied bioinformatics learning.