BOL: Related items

Bioinformatics -- Understanding of living systems through information science

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 11:50:17 -0500

Recently, the progress of the Human Genome Project, aiming to decode all human DNA sequences, has highlighted a research field called bioinformatics. In this new field, computers and techniques from information science are not just used as tools to advance life science research; they're expected to have a major impact on how we think about the life sciences. Q. The main feature of bioinformatics is, it utilizes computers to analyze life. One is example is the genome. In all organisms, DNA contains genetic information, and this is called the genome. But the amount of information involved is huge, so recently, it's been read using next-generation sequencers, and analyzed by computers. In bioinformatics research, what we do is utilize those genome information to investigate the principles of life. As an organism evolves, its genome sequence changes through sudden mutations. Additionally, at the genome level, mutations called rearrangements, such as inversions, transpositions, and duplications, occur. The genome comparison system developed by the Sakakibara Lab calculates homologous sequences called anchors, which are conserved between species. If the genome is considered as a long text, then anchors can be thought of as words. Q. We're coming to understand the genomes of various organisms - not just humans, but monkeys, chimpanzees, bacteria, and so on. The first method used to analyze a genome is comparing it with the genomes of other organisms, to see where it's the same and where it's different. In that way, the content of the genome is decoded bit by bit, using computers. By contrast, in our method, we've developed software called Murasaki, which we also use to analyze large genomes, by comparing them with those of other organisms. The Sakakibara Lab uses a next-generation sequencer at Keio University, along with a cluster machine with hundreds of CPUs. In this way, the Lab is analyzing genome mutations that cause cancer, and the genome of the natto production strain Bacillus subtilis. Until now, genome analysis could only be done in national-scale projects. But now, next-generation sequencer development has made genome analysis possible in an ordinary lab. In a world-first achievement, the Sakakibara Lab has decoded the natto bacillus genome, through analysis using Keio's next-generation sequencer. Q. In the future, biology and the life sciences may become almost entirely information science and computer science. And in healthcare, that may enable us, for example, to predict whether individuals are susceptible to cancer, or to certain lifestyle-related diseases, by understanding their personal genome data. So, I think it's amply possible that we can make use of such information effectively, to help people live longer and be free from disease, by thinking about their lifestyle habits. Bioinformatics is only two decades old. In this field, many areas are still unknown. Professor Sakakibara, having been involved since the beginning, will continue tackling new, challenging research projects.

Stay Connected and Productive: Unlock the Power of Screen, Tmux, and Mosh for Bioinformatics

BioStar — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:29:52 -0600

If you are a bioinformatician, chances are you have spent hours running long, complex analyses on remote servers only to lose your session because of an unstable connection. Frustrating, isnt it? Fear not! With tools like screen, tmux, and mosh, you can safeguard your workflow and stay productive, no matter where you are.

Why Remote Session Management is a Must-Have

In bioinformatics, tasks like genome assembly, RNA-seq analyses, and phylogenetic computations often take hours or days. A dropped SSH connection can result in:

Lost Progress: Restarting a job from scratch wastes valuable time.
Workflow Interruptions: Disruptions can derail your focus and productivity.
Corrupted Data: Interrupted processes may lead to incomplete or corrupted outputs.

By integrating screen, tmux, or mosh into your workflow, you can avoid these setbacks and ensure a seamless experience.

Screen: The Classic Workhorse

Screen is a terminal multiplexer that comes pre-installed on most Linux systems. It allows you to manage multiple terminal sessions and reconnect to them even after being disconnected.

Getting Started with Screen:

Start a Session:

screen
Detach from a Session:
Press Ctrl+A, then D.
Reattach to a Session:

screen -r

Pro Tip: Enhance your screen experience with a customized .screenrc configuration file. Download one here: Get .screenrc.

Tmux: A Modern Alternative

Tmux takes everything great about screen and adds modern features, including better key bindings and intuitive session management. It\u2019s perfect for bioinformaticians who want more control over their workflow.

Getting Started with Tmux:

Start a Session:

tmux
Detach from a Session:
Press Ctrl+B, then D.
Reattach to a Session:

tmux attach

Customize Your Tmux Experience:
Use a .tmux.conf file to personalize your setup. Grab one here: Download .tmux.conf.

Mosh: The Mobile Shell for Unreliable Connections

SSH works well for stable networks, but it struggles in areas with spotty connectivity. Enter Mosh, the Mobile Shell. Designed for intermittent networks, Mosh keeps your session alive even when the connection drops temporarily.

Why Mosh is a Game-Changer:

No lag over high-latency networks.
Automatically reconnects when the network is restored.
Ideal for working on the go, from cafes to trains.

Getting Started with Mosh:

Install Mosh:

sudo apt install mosh # For Debian/Ubuntu
Connect to a Server:

mosh username@server

Learn more at mosh.org.

Why This Matters for Bioinformatics

Every bioinformatician knows the value of time and data integrity. Tools like screen, tmux, and mosh provide a lifeline when running long analyses, enabling you to:

Safeguard your work against disconnections.
Easily manage multiple workflows in parallel.
Stay productive, even in challenging environments.

Quickstart Cheat Sheet

Screen:

screen # Start a session Ctrl+A, D # Detach screen -r # Reattach
Tmux:

tmux # Start a session Ctrl+B, D # Detach tmux attach # Reattach
Mosh:

mosh username@server

Final Thoughts

As a bioinformatician, your time is too valuable to spend restarting analyses due to technical hiccups. With screen, tmux, and mosh in your toolkit, you can work smarter, protect your progress, and stay productive no matter where you are. Start using these tools today and transform the way you work with remote systems.

Let me know how these tools work for you, and don\u2019t forget to follow for more bioinformatics tips!

Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility

Sun, 15 Sep 2013 09:22:25 -0500

The Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility has started working in the year 2007 at Presidency College, Kolkata. It is one of the premier institutes of India and boasts of a rich heritage and great alumni. The Infrastructure Facility has a dedicated team headed by Sayak Ganguli and ably supported by Priayanka Dhar. The coordinator of the facility is Abhijit Datta of the Post Graduate Department of Botany. The lab mainly focusses on the analysis of the RNA Induced Silencing Complex. Recent highlights include the presentation of a paper at the RNAi World Congress.

More @ http://bioinfo-presiuniv.edu.in/index.php

Top Journals in Bioinformatics: How to Choose Where to Publish & Why It Matters

LEGE — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:49:02 -0500

Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing field at the intersection of biology, computer science, mathematics, and statistics. As data volumes increase, as well as the diversity of data types (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, imaging, single‑cell data, etc.), the need for robust computational methods, rigorous models, and reproducible tools has never been greater.

A key decision for researchers is: Where should I publish my work? The choice of journal impacts visibility, peer recognition, and long‑term influence of your research. Below I provide a guide to leading journals in bioinformatics, criteria for selecting the journal that best fits your work, and why these considerations matter.

Leading Journals in Bioinformatics

Journal	What it’s Known For / Strengths	Best Fit for What Kind of Work
Bioinformatics (Oxford Journals)	Strong for methods, computational biology, database papers, algorithm development.	New computational methods; tools with broad applicability; databases; methodological advances.
Briefings in Bioinformatics	High impact reviews, overviews, and synthesis articles.	Review‑style articles; comparative studies; widely used tools.
PLOS Computational Biology	Emphasis on method development plus biological insight; open access.	Interdisciplinary work; computational method with biological applications.
BMC Bioinformatics	Broad scope; good for software, pipelines, resources; open access.	Software development; pipelines; data resources; benchmarking.
IEEE Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (TCBB)	Rigor in computation, algorithms, performance.	Algorithmic innovations; statistical/computational method work.
BioData Mining	Focused on data mining / ML in biology.	Machine learning / AI applied to biological datasets; predictive models.

Criteria to Use When Choosing a Journal

Scope & Audience
Impact & Visibility
Review Time & Speed
Open Access
Cost / APCs
Reputation vs Practical Fit
Reproducibility, Data & Code Sharing Policies
Indexing & Reach
Quality of the field
Accelerating discovery
Fair access
Credibility & trust
Read recent papers in the journal
Tailor the manuscript
Check the author guidelines
Have backup journals ready
More emphasis on machine learning / AI
Single‑cell, spatial omics, multimodal data
Cloud workflows, reproducible pipelines
Preprints / open peer review
Alternative metrics (software use, downloads, community adoption)

Selecting where to publish in bioinformatics isn’t just about prestige; it’s about reaching the right audience, ensuring your work is usable, and contributing to the field responsibly.

Professor of Bioinformatics

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 12:39:03 -0500

The Department of Statistics are seeking to recruit a Professor of Bioinformatics. The professorship will be held alongside a Fellowship at University College.

The Department is at the forefront of developments in machine learning, data science, and computational methods for understanding complex biological systems, integrating these approaches into both its research and teaching. This role offers significant scope to shape the future of bioinformatics and quantitative biology at Oxford and beyond.

You will be expected to develop and lead a world-class research programme in bioinformatics, helping to strengthen Oxford's position in areas such as statistical genomics, computational biology, machine learning for biological data, engineering biology, systems biology, and biomedical data science. We value the breadth of approaches that contribute to modern bioinformatics. Whatever your particular focus, you will understand how quantitative and computational methods can be applied to important biological and biomedical questions, and how collaboration across disciplines can generate new insights and opportunities. Alongside your own research, you will support the development of doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career academics. You will contribute to our teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level, delivering lectures, supervising student projects, and supporting graduate research students.

We are looking for someone who combines scholarly distinction with a collaborative and ambitious approach to research. You will be a researcher with an international reputation in bioinformatics, with a strong record of producing influential research at the interface of statistics, computational biology, genomics, and data science, and of securing research funding. Your work should advance the field, whether through methodological innovation, biological discovery, or the development of new approaches to understanding complex biological and biomedical data. You will bring experience of shaping research strategy, building productive collaborations, and exercising academic leadership. Above all, we wish to appoint someone who shares our values of intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, scholarly integrity, and a commitment to fostering a positive, supportive, and inclusive environment for all.

If you would like to discuss this post, please contact the Head of the Department of Statistics, Professor Frank Windmeijer, frank.windmeijer@stats.ox.ac.uk, or for information about University College please contact the Senior Tutor, Dr Andrew Bell, andrew.bell@univ.ox.ac.uk. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection decision.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon UK time on Monday 21 September 2026. Interviews are expected to be held in November 2026.

Apply here https://my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.display_form

Bioinformatician Dreams

Jitendra Narayan — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:50:45 -0500

Bioinformatician life is interconnected, they always dream for a powerful server, little more space on server as they are generating lots of data per run, dream to publish results in good impact journals, meetings reminders :) and research analysis off course!!!

Yeaman Lab

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:01:26 -0500

The natural world is a diverse place. To contend with highly variable environments, organisms have evolved a wide range of traits and behaviours as adaptations to their environment. From armour plating in stickleback to trade-offs between growth rate and cold tolerance in lodgepole pine, organisms have found many different genetic solutions to the challenge of existing in their environment. In my lab, we study a range of questions asking how such complex adaptations evolve:
How is the genetic basis of local adaptation shaped by the interplay between natural selection and dispersal?
Does the architecture of genome evolve to facilitate further adaptation?
How can we use genomic technologies and bioinformatics to study adaptation?
How do organisms adapt to rapidly changing environments?

To attempt to answer these questions about the basics of how evolution works, we use a combination of computational biology, analytical theory, comparative genomics.

More at https://yeamanlab.weebly.com

Chemical Elements of Bioinformatics

Rahul Agarwal — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 16:35:39 -0500

You must be familiar with periodic table and colour pattern, but this time you are going to amaze by new elements table by Eagle genomics. Just check it out and have fun :)

http://elements.eaglegenomics.com/

R and Bioconductor Tutorial

Jitendra Narayan — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 08:23:59 -0500

This tutorial is intended to introduce users quickly to the basics of R, focusing on a few common tasks that biologists need to perform some basic analysis: load a table, plot some graphs, and perform some basic statistics. More extensive tutorials can be found on the project website and via bioconductor (not covered here).

You can add more tutorial links in comments if found new pages.

Address of the bookmark: http://manuals.bioinformatics.ucr.edu/home/R_BioCondManual

Bioinformatics and Sequencing Courses and Workshops

Rahul Agarwal — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 16:41:26 -0500

Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) organises lots of bioinformatics courses covering wide range of topics:

http://www.isb-sib.ch/education/training-courses.html

Canadian bioinformatics also organises various bioinformatics and sequencing courses:

http://bioinformatics.ca/workshops

In addition to above two, EMBI Europe, EMBO Europe, Cold Spring Harbour USA, Wellcome Trust UK and NOVA Europe also organise bioinformatics and sequencing courses annually:

http://www.embl.de/training/events/index.php?p_outstation=ALL

http://www.embo.org/funding-awards/courses-workshops

http://meetings.cshl.edu/courses.html

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Courses-and-conferences/Advanced-Courses-and-Scientific-Conferences/Advanced-Courses/index.htm

http://www.nova-university.org/pagetop.cfm?MenySidorTop_id=2&open=7