What are SNPs?
SNPs (pronounced "snips") are positions in the genome where individuals differ by a single nucleotide. For example:

Reference: ...A T G C A T G A...
Variant:     ...A T G T A T G A...

Here, the C in the reference genome has been replaced by a T in the variant.

SNPs occur roughly every 300–1,000 bases in the human genome, meaning there are millions of them scattered throughout our DNA. Most SNPs have no effect on health, but some are linked to disease susceptibility, drug response, and other traits.

Why Do We Analyze SNPs?
1. Medical Genetics

Identify disease-associated variants (e.g., BRCA1/2 in breast cancer).

Predict drug response (pharmacogenomics).

Enable precision medicine by tailoring treatments.

2. Population Genetics & Ancestry

Trace human migration and ancestry.

Study genetic diversity within and between populations.

3. Agriculture & Animal Breeding

Select for desirable traits (drought resistance, yield, disease resistance).

Improve breeding efficiency in livestock.

4. Evolutionary Biology

Track natural selection.

Study adaptation in wild populations.

How is SNP Analysis Performed?
SNP analysis can be broadly divided into three steps:

SNP Detection
Genotyping arrays: Chips that test hundreds of thousands of known SNP positions simultaneously. Fast and affordable, widely used in consumer ancestry testing.

Whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing: Can detect known and novel SNPs across the genome.

Targeted sequencing or PCR: For focused analysis of specific regions.

Variant Calling
Sequencing data is aligned to a reference genome. Bioinformatics tools (e.g., GATK, bcftools) identify positions where the sequenced sample differs from the reference.

Annotation and Interpretation
Tools (e.g., SnpEff, VEP) predict the functional impact of SNPs.

Are the SNPs in coding regions? Do they cause amino acid changes? Are they known to be pathogenic?

Databases like dbSNP, ClinVar, and GWAS Catalog provide information on known associations.

Common Tools for SNP Analysis
Alignment: BWA, Bowtie2

Variant Calling: GATK, FreeBayes

Visualization: IGV, UCSC Genome Browser

Annotation: SnpEff, VEP

Statistical Analysis: PLINK, SNPTEST

Challenges in SNP Analysis
False positives/negatives: Sequencing errors, alignment issues.

Population stratification: Confounding in association studies.

Interpretation: Many SNPs have unknown or complex effects.

Researchers address these with rigorous quality control, large datasets, and increasingly sophisticated statistical models.

The Future of SNP Analysis
With advances in sequencing technology and AI-driven analysis, SNP studies are expanding:

Polygenic risk scores predict disease risk based on thousands of SNPs.

Large-scale biobanks (e.g., UK Biobank, All of Us) enable powerful genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

CRISPR and functional assays help validate SNP effects in the lab.

SNP analysis is at the heart of the genomic revolution, promising insights into biology, health, and evolution at unprecedented scale.

Conclusion
From diagnosing rare diseases to designing better crops, SNP analysis is a foundational tool in modern science. As our ability to sequence and interpret genomes improves, so will our understanding of these tiny—but mighty—variations in DNA.

PO Box: 21

DHARAMSHALA, DISTRICT KANGRA, HIMACHAL PRADESH – 176215

EMPLOYMENT NOTICE NO.: 02 / 2015

APPOINTMENT TO VARIOUS TEACHING, NON-TEACHING AND OTHER ACADEMIC STAFF POSITIONS

Applications in the prescribed form are invited from the eligible candidates for the following Teaching, Non-Teaching and other Academic Staff positions to be filled up on regular basis: Details of teaching positions:

15. School of Life Sciences

Computational Biology & Bioinformatics

1 (ST - 1) 2 (UR - 2)

Last Date of receipt of applications: 22ND JUNE, 2015

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1. FASTA
2. FASTQ
3. SAM
4. BAM
5. VCF
6. GFF
7. GTF

Address of the bookmark: https://bioinformatics.uconn.edu/resources-and-events/tutorials/file-formats-tutorial/

Minimum qualifications: M.Sc. with minimum 55% for general and OBD Category (55% for SC/St/PH) in the above-mentioned subject areas (viz. Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Botany, Plant Sciences, Chemistry, Zoology, Animal Sciences, Fishery Sciences and any other relevant branches).

Preference will be given to those holding valid CSIR-UGC NET JRF. DBT-JRF, ICAR-JRF, ICMR-JRF and DST-INSPIRE Fellowship while NET/SLET/SET qualified and GATE qualified candidates (90 or above percentile) are also encouraged to apply. Reservations of seats: 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC (noncreamy layer) and 3% for Physically Handicapped as per statutory norms.

Selection Procedure: If the number of JRF and INSPIRE qualified candidates is more, selection will be based on interview of the JRF and INSPIRE qualified candidates only. The selected candidates may be registered for Ph.D. in any of the recognized Universities in India.

Application Procedure: Application should be sent in the prescribed application form (available on the IBSD website). The candidate should send the completed and signed form along with self attested copies of all supporting certificates and marksheets along with an application fee of Rs.300/- (For GEN/OBC/PH) & Rs.150/- for (SC/ST), for which a Demand Draft in favour of ‘Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, payable at Imphal, Manipur, should be attached with the application form. Candidates are advised to provide their email ID and mobile number as they would be contacted electronically by the Institute. Duly filled applications (with ‘Application for IBSD PhD Programme’ super scribed on the envelope) should be sent to ‘The Director, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Takyelpat, Imphal-795001, Manipur so as to reach on or before 6th of July, 2015. Applications send by email with scan copy of required enclosures will also be accepted and can be sent to director.ibsd@nic.in. However, in such instances, the application will be processed only after the receipt of the mailed hard copies.

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Application Form : http://ibsd.gov.in/jobs/phd_2015/APPLICATION_FORM.pdf

The duly completed application on prescribed format along with copies of supporting documents must reach to: Office of the Dean (Research & Consultancy), Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad-211004 on or before 03/07/2015.

The position is purely temporary and will be governed by the funding agency rules & service conditions of Office of the Dean (Research & Consultancy), MNNIT Allahabad.

For detail advertisement see: www.mnnit.ac.in/images/newstories/Advertisement_for_the_post_of_Research_Assistant_in_UPCST_Project_of_Biotechnology_Department.pdf

Eligibility : M Phil / Phd, MSc

Location : Delhi

Last Date : 27 Jun 2015

Hiring Process : Walk - In
Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) - Job DetailsDate of posting:03 Jun 15

Research Associate Statisticsjob position in Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI)
on purely contractual temporary basis

Project : “ICAR-Network Project of Transgenic in Crops”

Qualification : Ph.D. in Bioinformatics/ Agricultural Statistics/ Statistics/ Computer Science/ Computer Application/ Life Science/ Biotechnology/ Agricultural Science or equivalent OR Post-Graduation in Bioinformatics/ Agricultural Statistics/ Statistics/ Computer Science/ Computer Application/ Life Science/ Biotechnology/ Agricultural Science or equivalent with 1st Division or 60% marks or equivalent with at least two years of research experience.

No.of Post: 01

Emoluments for RA: Consolidated Rs. 24000/- per month + 30% HRA for Ph.D holders and consolidated Rs. 23000/- per month + 30% HRA for Master Degree.

Age Limit : 40 years
How to apply

Walk-in-interview will be held on 27th June 2015, 10.30 A.M at IASRI, Pusa, New Delhi

More at http://iasri.res.in/employment/employment.htm

Starting 15th July 2015, the position relates to a project specifically for in silico drug docking, screening, design, optimisation and linkage with active chemists.

Experience in many docking softwares and operating systems is essential.

Additional experience in bioinformatics and computational biology tools will be useful.

Submit curriculum vitae to: sb.icgeb@gmail.com

Closing date: 5 July 2015

Job Description

The Global Trait Discovery Informatics (GTDI) group located at the DuPont Knowledge Centre (DKC), Hyderabad, India is currently seeking applications for a highly motivated computational biologist. The GTDI group contributes to research programs in plant biotechnology at the DKC as well as across research centers located in DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, Iowa and at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware.

We are looking for candidates who have experience in analysis of high-throughput -omics datasets. The researcher will be primarily responsible for analyzing diverse -omics datatypes, such as transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics and actively contribute towards building streamlined solutions.

The candidate will be part of a diverse team of experimental biologists, computational biologists and software developers. A critical aspect of this position involves working with global teams across multiple locations and will require effective project coordination and communication skills. This is an exciting opportunity for candidates with strong data driven skills, who want to work at the interface of computational and experimental biology and contribute towards scientific discovery.

Responsibilities

·Integrate and analyze multiple datatypes in the context of experimental observations with a goal towards formulating testable hypothesis.

·Understanding the research questions from experimental biologists and formulate relevant in silico analyses.

·Establish and implement systematic analysis workflows starting from processing of raw data to biological interpretation.

·Critically analyze a wide variety of experimental data with a view to solving the underlying research questions.

·Identify and generate datasets for scientific testing and evaluation of algorithms.

Qualifications

PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, population genetics, complex systems, computer sciences or any relevant physical or mathematical sciences, with experience in analyzing diverse -omics datasets.

Job Qualifications

Qualifications

PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, population genetics, complex systems, computer sciences or any relevant physical or mathematical sciences, with experience in analyzing diverse -omics datasets.

More at http://careers.dupont.com/jobsearch/job-details/research-scientist/006077W-01/

Adv. No. URDIP/ 15/2015

Opportunity for young Bioinformatics Professionals to make a career in the area of Intellectual Property

CSIR has set up a Unit for Research and Development of Information Products (CSIRURDIP) at Pune to work in the area of scientific informatics. One of the major focus areas of research work at CSIR-URDIP is PATENT INFORMATICS. With the increasing applications of Bioinformatics in the areas of life sciences industry such as Agriculture and Health Care (Diagnostics and Drugs), the output of research in these area is being protected by different forms of Intellectual Property rights. Realizing the importance of IP in the Bioinformatics field, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has sanctioned a project on “Development, Facilitation and Harvesting of Bioinformatics related Intellectual Property” at CSIR-URDIP.

The project will involve application of Patent Informatics tools and techniques to Bioinformatics (including creation of patent landscapes, preparation of techno-legal reports of patentability, freedom to operate studies) to help protect IPRs and develop and conduct training programmes on IPRs related to Bioinformatics.

CSIR-URDIP invites applications from young Bioinformatics professionals to work on this emerging area which offers challenging opportunities and attractive career possibilities in future.

Position I: Research Associate

No of Positions: One

Consolidated amount Payable: = Rs 26,400.00

Qualification: PhD in Bioinformatics. In exceptional cases, candidature of M. Tech. candidates with First class in Bioinformatics with three years of relevant work experience will also be considered.

Job requirement: The prospective candidate will be expected to identify patents/scientific literature in field of Bioinformatics, evaluate them Vis a Vis other patents in fields and come up landscape / FTO / Patentability reports.

Age Limit: 35 years.

The candidates meeting the above criteria may appear for walk in interview at their cost on Monday 13th July 2015 at 02:00 p.m. with the CV and supporting documents (original plus copies) at the following address: CSIR Unit or Research and Development of Information Products (URDIP), "Tapovan" S.No. 113 & 114, Near NCL Colony Baner Side Gate, NCL Estate, Pashan Road, Pune-411008, Maharashtra, India

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