BOL: Related items

“On” and “Off” the neuron !!!

Rahul Nayak — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 19:31:13 -0500

Optogenetics is a recent innovation in neuroscience that gives researchers the ability to control the activity of neurons with light. With this powerful tool, researchers are teasing apart the biological basis of memory, behavior, and disease (see “Scientists Make Mice ‘Remember’ Things That Didn’t Happen” and “An On-Off Switch for Anxiety,”). But for the first several years of this technology’s existence, the proteins that scientists added to neurons to make them react to light were only good at activating neurons. That limited researchers’ ability to understand neuronal circuits, sets of interconnected neurons that are thought to control behavior and, when misfiring, to underlie many brain conditions. Problems can arise from any imbalance in circuit activity, whether too much or too little.

Now, two research groups have engineered new optogenetic proteins that can be used to efficiently silence neurons. One of the two new proteins comes from the lab of Karl Deisseroth, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at Stanford University who helped develop optogenetics as a research tool. His group’s new “off” switch for neurons was created by changing 10 of the 333 amino acids in an existing optogenetic protein, which itself had been engineered by combining natural proteins from green algae. That advance “creates a powerful tool that allows neuroscientists to apply a brake in any specific circuit with millisecond precision,” said Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, in a released statement. The other new silencing protein, developed by scientists at the Humboldt University of Berlin and collaborators, was created by changing amino acids in the same existing optogenetic protein.

Some researchers are also looking to optogenetics as a potential treatment for patients with a variety of conditions (see “For Mice, and Maybe Men, Pain Is Gone in a Flash,” and “Flipping on the Lights to Halt Seizures”) but there are huge challenges to overcome. The method requires genetic modification of cells to make them light-sensitive. It also requires implanted light sources for all but the shallowest of nerve endings.

Check Linux server configuration !!

Rahul Nayak — Tue, 06 May 2014 01:10:57 -0500

Bioinformatician uses servers for computational analysis. Sometime we need to check the server details before running our programs or tools. Here I am showing some basic commands using them you can gather the system/server information.

To check what version of Operating System is installed on the server you can use the following commands:-
=================================================================
1.cat /etc/issue
[root@localhost ~]# cat /etc/issue
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 5.5 (Tikanga)
Kernel \r on an \m

2.cat /etc/redhat-release
[root@localhost ~]# cat /etc/redhat-release
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 5.5 (Tikanga)

3.lsb_release -a
[root@localhost ~]# lsb_release -a
LSB Version:    :core-3.1-ia32:core-3.1-noarch:graphics-3.1-ia32:graphics-3.1-noarch
Distributor ID: RedHatEnterpriseServer
Description:    Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 5.5 (Tikanga)
Release:        5.5
Codename:       Tikanga

To check whether the operating system is 32 or 64bit:-
================================
# uname -i
[root@localhost ~]# uname -i
i386
(i386 represents that server is having 32bit operating system)

[root@localhost ~]# uname -i
x86_64
(x86_64 represents that server is having 64bit operating system)

To see the processor/CPU information:-
=============================
# cat /proc/cpuinfo
[root@localhost ~] cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor       : 0
vendor_id       : GenuineIntel
cpu family      : 6
model           : 15
model name      : Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU            5130 @ 2.00GHz
stepping        : 6
cpu MHz         : 1995.087
cache size      : 4096 KB
physical id     : 0
siblings        : 2
core id         : 0
cpu cores       : 2
apicid          : 0
fdiv_bug        : no
hlt_bug         : no
f00f_bug        : no
coma_bug        : no
fpu             : yes
fpu_exception   : yes
cpuid level     : 10
wp              : yes
flags           : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx lm constant_tsc pni monitor ds_cpl vmx tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr lahf_lm
bogomips        : 3990.17
(Here processor number 0 indicates that the system is having one process(processor number starts with zero))

To check memory information:-
===========================
# free -m
[root@localhost ~]# free -m
             total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:          5066       3513       1552          0        612       2319
-/+ buffers/cache:        582       4484
Swap:         1983          0       1983

# cat /proc/meminfo
[root@localhost ~]# cat /proc/meminfo
MemTotal:      5187752 kB
MemFree:       1639300 kB
Buffers:        627024 kB
Cached:        2374944 kB
SwapCached:          0 kB
Active:        2458788 kB
Inactive:       920964 kB
HighTotal:     4325164 kB
HighFree:      1561936 kB
LowTotal:       862588 kB
LowFree:         77364 kB
SwapTotal:     2031608 kB
SwapFree:      2031608 kB
Dirty:             704 kB
Writeback:           0 kB
AnonPages:      377892 kB
Mapped:          35328 kB
Slab:           153036 kB
PageTables:       6316 kB
NFS_Unstable:        0 kB
Bounce:              0 kB
CommitLimit:   4625484 kB
Committed_AS:   977132 kB
VmallocTotal:   116728 kB
VmallocUsed:      4492 kB
VmallocChunk:   112124 kB
HugePages_Total:     0
HugePages_Free:      0
HugePages_Rsvd:      0
Hugepagesize:     2048 kB

To check the model and serial name of the server:-
=======================================
[root@localhost ~]# dmidecode | egrep -i "product name|Serial number"
Product Name: PowerEdge R710
Serial Number: AB8CDE1


To check the host name:-
=====================
[root@localhost ~]# uname -n
localhost

[root@localhost ~]# hostname
localhost

To check the kernel version:-
========================
[root@localhost ~]# uname -r
2.6.18-238.9.1.el5PAE

Assistant Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi

Wed, 07 May 2014 00:29:22 -0500

Advt. No. RC/48/2014

SCHOOL OF COMPUTATIONAL AND INTEGRATIVE SCIENCES (SC&IS)

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION : - M.Sc./M.Tech. in Physics/ Chemistry/ Biology/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology. Ph.D. in the broad areas of Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology. Candidates must have demonstrated capabilities in terms of high impact research publications in either of the above mentioned areas.

Scale of Pay : - 15600-39100/- (PB-III) AGP Rs. 6000/-

For more details on Centre/School, Specializations etc. please visit JNU website www.jnu.ac.in or contact Section Officer, Room Nos. 131-132, Recruitment Cell, Administrative Block, JNU, New Delhi – 110067, Email: recruitmentjnu2013@gmail.com The last date for the receipt of application is 15 May, 2014.

http://www.jnu.ac.in/Career/

http://www.jnu.ac.in/Career/ADVTNo_RC_48_2014.pdf
Last Apply Date:

15 May 2014

Memories Can Be Passed Down Through DNA

Sat, 10 May 2014 21:24:10 -0500

The premise of Assassin's Creed is the reliving of other people's memories stored inside DNA. Well scientists have found that in mice, it actually happens! Anthony is joined by special guest and our friend Tara Long from Hard Science to explain how this process works, and if it might apply to humans as well. Read More: Parental olfactory experience influences behavior and neural structure in subsequent generations http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nn.3594.html "Using olfactory molecular specificity, we examined the inheritance of parental traumatic exposure, a phenomenon that has been frequently observed, but not understood." What Is Epigenetics? http://www.sciencemag.org/content/330/6004/611 "The cells in a multicellular organism have nominally identical DNA sequences (and therefore the same genetic instruction sets), yet maintain different terminal phenotypes. This nongenetic cellular memory, which records developmental and environmental cues (and alternative cell states in unicellular organisms), is the basis of epi-(above)-genetics." Epigenetics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics Watch More: How to Change Your Genes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5DU9lgbsSE TestTube Wild Card http://testtube.com/dnews/dnews-231-how-too-many-screens-affect-our-brain?utm_source=YT&utm_medium=DNews&utm_campaign=DNWC Is Sexiness Hereditary? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6STRCncvM8 ____________________ DNews is dedicated to satisfying your curiosity and to bringing you mind-bending stories & perspectives you won't find anywhere else! New videos twice daily. Watch More DNews on TestTube http://testtube.com/dnews Subscribe now! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=dnewschannel DNews on Twitter http://twitter.com/dnews Anthony Carboni on Twitter http://twitter.com/acarboni Laci Green on Twitter http://twitter.com/gogreen18 Trace Dominguez on Twitter http://twitter.com/trace501 DNews on Facebook http://facebook.com/dnews DNews on Google+ http://gplus.to/dnews Discovery News http://discoverynews.com

Scientists map 17,294 proteins produced in human body

Jit — Thu, 29 May 2014 01:57:55 -0500

Indian scientists missed the genomic profiling bus, but they've more than made up for it by creating the first human proteome map which is an extension of the genomic study. Till now, here is no direct equivalent for the human proteome. But recently two groups present mass spectrometry-based analysis of human tissues, body fluids and cells mapping the large majority of the human proteome.

The Indian scientists working in Bangalore, along with their American counterparts, have mapped more than 17,000 proteins in 30 organs of the human body. Just like the human genome was sequenced around the turn of the millennium, this is an equivalent mapping of the human proteome.

The researcher estimated there are around 20,500 proteins in the human body. These scientists have profiled around 17,294, which account for around 84% of the total proteins. Apart from this, the team also traced around 2,500 of 3,000 proteins that had been categorised as "missing proteins".

The work, done by group of Indian scientists, and Johns Hopkins University, published in the renowned journal Nature ( http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v509/n7502/full/nature13302.html ). Of the 72 people who worked on the project, 46 are Indians.

Reference:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v509/n7502/full/nature13302.html

http://www.proteinatlas.org/ -The antibody-based Human Protein Atlas programme

http://www.humanproteomemap.org/ -Proteogenomic analysis by identifying translated proteins from annotated pseudogenes, non-coding RNAs and untranslated regions.

https://www.proteomicsdb.org/ -Assembled protein evidence for 18,097 genes in ProteomicsDB

Adhoc Bioinformatics Faculty Position @ NIT

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:19:52 -0500

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, WARANGAL – 506 021, Andhra Pradesh

No.NITW/BT/2014/adhoc

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ADHOC FACULTY ON CONTRACT BASIS IN THE DEAPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Period of Contract: Initially the appointment is for one semester i.e., from July 2014 up to December 2014 only.

Essential Qualifications:

i) B. Tech or equivalent in Biotechnology/ Industrial Biotechnology/ Biochemical Engineering / Chemical Engg. Or M. Sc in Microbiology/ Botany/ Zoology/ Biochemistry/Biotechnology and ii) M. Tech or equivalent in Biotechnology/Industrial Biotechnology/Bioinformatics

Integrated M. Tech in Biotechnology/Industrial Biotechnology/ Bioinformatics

Candidates must possess First class (60% aggregate marks or 6.5 CGPA) at B. Tech/ M. Sc and M. Tech.

Desirable: Ph. D Pay Package: All selected candidates shall be eligible for a consolidated pay of Rs.30, 000/- per month. Candidates with Ph. D shall be eligible for an additional amount of Rs.5, 000/- per month.

How to apply : Applications on plain paper with attested photocopies of certificate and bio data along with justification for eligibility should reach to the Head, Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Warangal AP 506004 in the form of soft or hard copy on or before 21st June 2014 email : biotech_hod@nitw.ac.in

Intimation: No separate call letters will be sent to the candidates. All the eligible candidates will be notified in the institute web site on 23rd June 2014. All the eligible candidates are requested to report for the interview to the Head, Department of Biotechnology at 9:00 AM on 27th June 2014

Joining: Selected candidates will be informed and they are expected to join immediately.

http://www.nitw.ac.in/nitw/announcements/2014/Bio-Adhoc%20Advt.%20May-2014.pdf

Faculty post at Zhejiang University

Tue, 10 Jun 2014 03:40:40 -0500

Zhejiang University (ZJU) is seeking faculty candidates for its newly launched, highly competitive and well funded “Hundred Talents Program”. This search covers all colleges and departments at ZJU. Applicants, expected to be about 35 years old, should hold PhD degree, and postdoctoral experiences are preferred for applicants in most fields. Applicants should have demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and research at a level comparable to the academic achievement of assistant professor or associate professor in world-renowned universities. Successful candidates must work full-time and are expected to establish internationally competitive and independent research program in cutting-edge areas of the relevant field at ZJU.

As one of the leading research-intensive universities in China, ZJU is located in the beautiful city of Hangzhou. Successful candidates will be employed as Principal Investigators and are qualified to supervise doctoral students. ZJU will offer an internationally competitive salary and the opportunity to purchase university's apartment at a price much lower than the market price, and will provide office and laboratory spaces as well as internationally competitive research startup packages.

Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications electronically to tr@zju.edu.cn. Applicants should include the following materials in pdf format: a comprehensive CV, a statement of research and teaching plan, and a list of 3 to 5 references with detailed contact information.

Contact：Talents Office, ZJU

Tel：+86-571-88981345, +86-571-88981390

Fax：+86-571-88981976

E-mail:tr@zju.edu.cn

Faculty Positions at Central University of Punjab

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 23:33:33 -0500

Faculty Positions: Rolling/Open Advertisement Advt.No: T-10 (2013)

Pay Scale: Pay Band Rs.15600-39100 with AGP of Rs.6,000/-

Essential Qualifications for Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors: As per “UGC REGULATIONS ON MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS AND OTHER ACADEMIC STAFF IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND MEASURES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF STANDARDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION 2010“ and the 2nd Amendments to the regulation issued in June 2013.

For details: http://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/regulations/revised_finalugcregulationfinal10.pdf http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/8539300_English.pdf and University rules.

Procedure to apply:

Application forms along with API form complete in all respect along with necessary documents and application fee of Rs. 500/-. (Rs. 250/- for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Person with disabilities) should be sent to:

Registrar, Central University of Punjab, City Campus, Mansa Road, Bathinda-151001

For more info visit: http://www.centralunipunjab.com/Teaching/Final%20Details-t10-2013.pdf, http://www.centralunipunjab.com/Teaching/Advertisement-t10-2013.jpg

Last Apply Date: 31 Dec 2014

MEGADOCK 4.0

Suleman Khan — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:08:54 -0500

An ultra–high-performance protein–protein docking software for heterogeneous supercomputers

Summary: The application of protein–protein docking in large-scale interactome analysis is a major challenge in structural bioinformatics and requires huge computing resources. In this work, we present MEGADOCK 4.0, an FFT-based docking software that makes extensive use of recent heterogeneous supercomputers and shows powerful, scalable performance of over 97% strong scaling.

Availability and Implementation: MEGADOCK 4.0 is written in C++ with OpenMPI and NVIDIA CUDA 5.0 (or later) and is freely available to all academic and non-profit users at: http://www.bi.cs.titech.ac.jp/megadock.

Contact: akiyama@cs.titech.ac.jp

Address of the bookmark: http://bioinformatics.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/08/06/bioinformatics.btu532.short

Bioinformatics JRF/SRF position at IARI

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 04:14:01 -0500

DIVISION OF NEMATOLOGY
INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NEW DELHI 110012
Applications are invited for the posts of one Junior
Research Fellow and one RA in the DBT funded project entitled “ Plant parasitic nematode genome informatics - insilico resource development”. The project is for a period of three years.

Essential qualifications for JRF
: M. Sc. in Bioinformatics with experience in Proteomics, genomics and structural biology. Knowledge of programming language, pearl and database – HTML, CSS,php and Java script.
Essential qualifications for Research Associate:
MSc/MTech in Bioinformatics with three years experience or Ph.D in Bioinformatics with experience in proteomics, genomics and structural biology. Knowledge of programming language, perl and database
– HTML, CSS, Java script. NGS sequence assembly and analysis and algorithm designing.
Age limit : 35 years maximum (5 year relaxation for SC/ST and women candidates)
Emoluments:
JRF: 16,000 + 30% HRA
.
Res Assoc: Rs22,000 + 30% HRA
The post is purely temporary in nature and is co-terminus with the project. The appointment would be initially for one year and may be extended further upon satisfactory performance.
Interested candidates
should send the duly filled application forms (format in the following page ) so as to reach on or before 20.9.2014 along with all the relevant documents.

More at http://www.iari.res.in/files/JRF_RA-03092014-20140903-135319.pdf