BOL: Related items

Junior Research Fellow @ IIT

Sat, 21 Sep 2013 18:04:50 -0500

Applications are invited from the citizens of India for filling up the following temporary position for the sponsored project undertaken in the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering of this Institute. The position is temporary initially for a period of 1 Year and tenable only for the duration of the project. The requisite qualification & experience etc. are given below:

Project Code, Project Title & Funding Agency
13DST016 : "Studies on the component of mimivirus DNA replication machinery" (Department of Science & Technology)

Position & Salary
Junior Research Fellow (1 Post )
Consolidated salary
Rs.16000/- p.m. + HRA
Qualification
MSc or MTech or BTech or BE in one of the following branches with first class-Biochemistry, Microbiology, genetic Engineering, Biotechnology, Medical Microbiology, Bioinformatics, life sciences etc.
Job Profile
Project involves virus culturing and purification, cloning, protein purification and measurement of helicase, primase, nuclease, translocase activities using various methods. Person should be highly motivated and some experience in cloning and protein purification is desirable. Experience in handling insect cell lines will be an added advantage.

More at http://www.ircc.iitb.ac.in/IRCC-Webpage/rnd/RecruitmentGenerateCircular.jsp?srno=2013086

3 days intensive course on Understanding 'omics data in Basel, Switzerland, 19-21st November

Mon, 23 Sep 2013 10:46:57 -0500

Benefits for the participants

- Plan more efficient experiments
- Correctly interpret results
- Communicate results in publications more effectively

The course focus is on methodologies, not on particular software tools. After the course participants should be able to apply the methods in their respective environment. However, during the course, hands-on sessions will be performed using the Genedata Expressionist® software, which enables participants to quickly apply the discussed methods and visualize results. No previous knowledge on Expressionist® is required; access to the software is free of charge during the course.

More @ http://www.dixa-fp7.eu/dixa-training/dixa-training-agenda/genedata-academy#!

CRCRI Bioinfomatics Walk In on 08.10.2013

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 10:59:53 -0500

Walk-in-Interview for recruitment of one Project Fellow for a period of 10 months purely on temporary basis is proposed to be held at Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram for a KSCSTE funded project entitled “PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT OF A WEB BASED USER FRIENDLY CASSAVA EXPERT SYSTEM”

Salary: Rs. 10,000/- per month.

Age limit: 35 for men and 40 for women & SC/ST.

Qualification: First class in M. Sc (Agriculture)/MCA/M.Sc (IT)/ M. Sc (Computer Application)/M.Sc (Bioinformatics)/M.Sc (Geoinformatics).

Desirable: Two years experience in web design and web programming.

Date & time of interview: 08.10.2013, 10 am

Interested candidates may appear for an interview at this institute along with their application in plain paper containing the following particulars viz. (1) Name (2) Father/Husband/Guardian’s Name (3) date of birth & age as on 01.10.2013 (4) Permanent address (5) Address for communication (6) Email address and Telephone No. with code (7) Qualification (8) National fellowship like ICAR/CSIR/UGC etc. if any (9) Whether SC/ST/OBC (10) Details of experience (Attested copies of degree certificate, proof of age, mark sheets). Original certificates should be produced for verification.

No TA/DA will be admissible to the candidates attending the test. The selected candidate will have to join immediately.

Advertisement: http://www.ctcri.org/careers/mithra_SRF.doc

Rotifers Lab

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 23:23:14 -0600

For scientists in the MBL’s Gribble Lab, the rotifer (Brachionus manjavacas) is used as a model organism to study evolution, stress responses, the biology of aging, and maternal effects. Rotifers are small, easy to grow in the lab, have a short lifespan, and share many of their genes with humans. That makes them ideal specimens in which to address questions relevant to human health as well as understand basic biological and evolutionary processes. Brachionus rotifers produces eggs that can be completely dried and frozen for decades, then hatch within a day when exposed to water and light.

https://www.mbl.edu/research/research-organisms/rotifer
https://gribblebiolab.org/

Virus Bioinformatics Tools

LEGE — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:19:55 -0500

Bioinformatics tools play a crucial role in studying viruses, enabling researchers to analyze their genetic makeup, structure, function, and evolution. Here are some commonly used bioinformatics tools for virus research

https://evirusbioinfc.notion.site/18e21bc49827484b8a2f84463cb40b8d?v=92e7eb6703be4720abf17a901bc9a947

Address of the bookmark: https://evirusbioinfc.notion.site/18e21bc49827484b8a2f84463cb40b8d?v=92e7eb6703be4720abf17a901bc9a947

Walk-in-Interview @ Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 15:40:17 -0500

Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute
Library Avenue, Pusa, New Delhi – 110012

Walk-in-Interview

Walk-in-interview will be held on October 5, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at IASRI, New Delhi for a project “A New Distributed Computing Framework for Data Mining” funded by Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India for the following posts. The appointment will be on contractual basis upto 14th October, 2015 or till the termination of the project whichever is earlier and the incumbent shall not have any claim for regular appointment under ICAR.

Research Associate

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics/ Agricultural Statistics/ Statistics/ Computer Science/ Computer Application or equivalent or

Post-Graduation in Bioinformatics/ Agricultural Statistics/ Statistics/ Computer Science/ Computer Application or equivalent with 1st Division and at least two years of research experience

 Knowledge of Statistical Analysis /Bioinformatics tools for computational genomics.

 Knowledge of R/Perl programming language

Research Associate

Ph.D. in Computer Science/ Computer Application / Bioinformatics/ Agricultural
Statistics/ Statistics or equivalent or

Post-Graduation in Computer Science/ Computer Application /Bioinformatics/ Agricultural Statistics/ Statistics or equivalent with 1st Division and at least two years of research experience

 Expertise in Java programming.
 Knowledge of system administration and networking under Linux environment.
 Knowledge of parallel programming and cluster computing.

Emoluments for Research Associate: Consolidated Rs:24000/- per month + HRA (for Ph.D. Degree holders) and Rs:23000/- per month + HRA (for Master’s Degree holders)

Age Limit: Age should be not more than 40 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST/women candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates as on date of interview).

Interested candidates are requested to appear for Walk-in-Interview on the date and time as specified above in Room No. 106, Training Cum Administrative Block of the Institute along with their application giving bio-data with attested copies of certificates, degrees, testimonials, etc. and one passport size photograph.

Original certificates/ Degrees are needed to be produced at the time of interview.

No T.A. /D.A. will be paid for appearing in the interview.

Advertisement: http://www.iasri.res.in/employment/employment.htm

Postdoctoral Scholar in Bacterial Evolution at Pathogen and Microbiome Institute at Northern Arizona University

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:49:16 -0600

We are pleased to announce a Postdoctoral Scholar position to study
bacterial evolution at the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute at
Northern Arizona University with Professor Paul Keim. The scholar
will have the opportunity also work with Professor Sam Sheppard at
The University of Oxford on joint projects. See our recent paper
on interspecific gene flow in Campylobacter. (DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00581-24)

The job description: "This research position focuses on the science
of bacterial evolution. It will consist of researching theoretical
principles, but could include translational applications. Phylogenomic
and bioinformatic analysis of bacterial populations in nature or
in laboratory experiments will be a key component of the work. Prior
experience is an asset though training will be possible at PMI.
Likewise, laboratory microbiological, molecular, and biochemical
skills are an asset though not essential. Communication and critical
thinking skills are essential for performing the work and for
communicating to the local and international scientific communities.
Participating in team or independent grant writing to obtain research
funding will be required. Student mentoring is a part of the NAU
mission and is a partial expectation."

https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=608024&PostingSeq=1

Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, a
beautiful mountain town with a surprisingly vibrant restaurant
scene. Located a little over an hour from the Grand Canyon and ~45
min from Sedona, Flagstaff is a hiker's paradise. In fact, the city
of Flagstaff operates more than 50 miles of unpaved trails and there
are, on average, 266 sunny days per year with which to enjoy them.
At 7000 ft in elevation, Flagstaff experiences all four seasons,
but thesummers are mild and, in the winter, you can be on the ski
slopes within 30 min! https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/

As mentioned, joint projects with Professor Sheppard at Oxford
University are possible, including travel to his laboratory in the
United Kingdom. https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/people/samuel-sheppard

Contact Information:
Paul.Keim@nau.edu

Paul S. Keim, Ph.D.
Regents Professor, &
Cowden Endowed Chair of Microbiology
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4073

Paul S Keim

A Beginner's Guide to Using Kraken for Taxonomic Classification

Neel — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 11:29:03 -0600

Kraken is a popular bioinformatics tool designed for fast and accurate taxonomic classification of metagenomic sequences. Its efficiency and precision make it a go-to resource for analyzing microbial communities, including bacteria, viruses, archaea, and fungi. Whether you're new to bioinformatics or experienced in the field, Kraken is an indispensable tool for taxonomic analysis.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the basics of Kraken, from installation to running an analysis, and highlight its key features and applications.

What is Kraken?

Kraken is a sequence classification tool that assigns taxonomic labels to DNA sequences using exact k-mer matching. It uses a reference database of genomes, dividing sequences into k-mers and identifying matches in a computationally efficient way.

Key Features of Kraken

Speed: Kraken processes data much faster than alignment-based methods.
Accuracy: It uses a precise k-mer matching algorithm for high-resolution taxonomic assignments.
Scalability: It can handle large metagenomic datasets.
Custom Databases: You can build and use custom databases tailored to your research needs.

Installing Kraken

System Requirements
- A Unix-based operating system (Linux/macOS).
- Sufficient computational resources for database building (RAM and disk space).
Installation Steps
- Clone the Kraken repository from GitHub:
  
  git clone https://github.com/DerrickWood/kraken.git cd kraken
- Compile the Kraken binaries:
  
  make
- Add Kraken to your PATH for easy access:
  
  export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/kraken

Preparing a Database

Kraken requires a database of reference genomes. You can use a pre-built database or create a custom one.

Downloading a Pre-built Database
Kraken offers pre-built databases, such as the MiniKraken database, which is lightweight and suitable for smaller datasets. Download it using:

kraken-build --download-library minikraken
Building a Custom Database
To include specific genomes, download FASTA files and build the database:

kraken-build --download-library bacteria --threads 4 --db my_database kraken-build --build --db my_database

This process may take considerable time and resources, depending on the size of the database.

Running Kraken

Once the database is ready, you can classify sequences.

Basic Usage
Use the following command to classify sequences:

kraken --db my_database --threads 4 --fastq-input input_sequences.fastq --output kraken_output.txt

Key options:
- --db: Specifies the database.
- --threads: Number of threads for parallel processing.
- --fastq-input: Indicates input file format (FASTQ/FASTA).
Interpreting Results
Kraken generates an output file with columns for sequence IDs, taxonomic classifications, and the confidence score.

Visualizing Kraken Results

Kraken results can be visualized using tools like Krona or converted to human-readable reports using kraken-report.

Generate a Report

kraken-report --db my_database kraken_output.txt > kraken_report.txt
Krona Visualization
Install Krona and convert Kraken output for visualization:

cut -f2,3 kraken_output.txt | ktImportTaxonomy -o krona_output.html

Open the HTML file in your browser to interactively explore the taxonomic classifications.

Advanced Usage

Confidence Thresholds
Adjust the confidence threshold for classification using the --confidence option. Higher values reduce false positives but may miss some true positives:

kraken --db my_database --confidence 0.1 --fastq-input input.fastq
Paired-End Reads
For paired-end sequencing data, use:

kraken --db my_database --paired reads_1.fastq reads_2.fastq
Customizing K-mers
Kraken allows you to set custom k-mer lengths during database building for specific applications.

Applications of Kraken

Microbial Ecology: Characterizing microbial communities in soil, water, and the human microbiome.
Pathogen Detection: Identifying pathogens in clinical samples.
Fungal Research: Analyzing fungal diversity in metagenomic datasets.
Environmental Monitoring: Tracking microbial populations in diverse habitats.

Conclusion

Kraken is a versatile and efficient tool for taxonomic classification in metagenomics. Its speed, accuracy, and flexibility make it a favorite among bioinformaticians. By following this guide, you can set up and use Kraken to unlock insights into microbial and fungal communities, paving the way for discoveries in ecology, medicine, and biotechnology.

Bioinformatics @ TATA MEMORIAL CENTRE, NAVI MUMBAI

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 10:40:25 -0500

TATA MEMORIAL CENTRE
ADVANCED CENTRE FOR TREATMENT, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN CANCER
KHARGHAR, NAVI MUMBAI – 410210

No. ACTREC/Advt./ 72 /2013

WALK IN INTERVIEW

1. JRF*
Genome-wide RNAi screen with human pooled tyrosine kinase shRNA libraries in head and neck squamous call carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines
DBT A/C No. 3071, Dr. Amit Dutt

2. JRF
IRB Project ACTREC Funds
Dr. Amit Dutt

3. RA
Defining the cancer genome of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) with SNP arrays and next generation sequencing technology
A/C No. 2895, Dr. Amit Dutt

Duration of the Project: One year from the date of appointment, or as and when project terminates.

Consolidated Salary: RA : Rs. 40,000/- p.m.
JRF* (DBT): Rs. 20,800/- p.m.
JRF: Rs. 16,000/- p.m.
Date & Time: 6th November, 2013, at 10.00 a.m.

Venue: Conference Room

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

RA: The ideal applicant should have a PhD in a relevant field. He/she should have a strong computational biology background, with demonstrated experience in coding using Perl, Python, Java or C++. He/she should be familiar with working in unix enviromnent, devising computational algorithms for data analysis, statistical data analysis in R and matlab and database programming using MySQL. Hands on experience in analyzing high throughput data would be an added advantage.

JRF* (DBT project): M.Sc. in Life Sciences or M.Tech in Biotechnology with good academic record (Minimum of 60% aggregate). Valid UGC-CSIR/DBT/ICMR JRF qualification and laboratory experience in molecular biology. Previous experience in molecular biology and animal tissue culture with high throughput platforms and ability to work with a large team would be desirable.

JRF (ACTREC project): M.Sc. in Life Sciences or M.Tech in Biotechnology with good academic record (Minimum of 60% aggregate). Minimum 2 yrs experience in molecular biology and animal tissue culture with high throughput platforms and ability to work with a large team is essential.

*M.Sc. degree obtained after a one year course will not be considered.

Candidates fulfilling above requirements should send their application by e-mail to
‘careers.duttlab@gmail.com. in the format given below so as to reach on or before
4th November, 2013.

http://www.actrec.gov.in/data%20files/2013/AD-RA-JR-TECHN-6-NOV.pdf

Large Language Models in Bioinformatics: Transforming Data Analysis and Interpretation

LEGE — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:26:29 -0600

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into bioinformatics has ushered in a new era of computational biology. Among the most transformative advancements are large language models (LLMs), such as GPT and BERT, which leverage deep learning to process and interpret vast amounts of text data. These models are reshaping bioinformatics by enhancing data analysis, hypothesis generation, and literature mining.

Understanding Large Language Models

LLMs are AI systems trained on extensive datasets of natural language. Their ability to model context, identify patterns, and generate coherent language has proven invaluable across domains, including bioinformatics. By fine-tuning these models on biological datasets, researchers can unlock insights into molecular biology, systems biology, and beyond.

Key Applications of LLMs in Bioinformatics

1. Annotating Biological Data

Annotating genomic and proteomic data is fundamental yet labor-intensive. LLMs streamline this process by extracting functional annotations from literature and databases, predicting gene and protein functions, and providing automated insights.

2. Mining Scientific Literature

The exponential growth of publications presents a challenge for researchers to stay updated. LLMs can process large volumes of text to extract key findings, summarize papers, and identify trends, thereby facilitating efficient literature reviews.

3. Predicting Gene and Protein Functions

By leveraging sequence data and annotations, LLMs can predict the functions of uncharacterized genes and proteins. This capability is particularly useful for studying non-model organisms and orphan genes.

4. Drug Discovery and Repurposing

LLMs enable pattern recognition across chemical, genomic, and clinical datasets, identifying novel drug candidates and repurposing existing drugs for new therapeutic targets. They can simulate interactions between drugs and biological molecules, accelerating the discovery pipeline.

5. Generating Hypotheses for Research

LLMs analyze complex datasets to propose testable hypotheses. For example, they can predict protein-protein interactions, identify regulatory motifs, or model evolutionary processes in genomes.

Advantages of LLMs in Bioinformatics

Scalability: LLMs process massive datasets rapidly, reducing the time required for data analysis.
Versatility: These models adapt to diverse bioinformatics tasks, from genomic annotation to network analysis.
Contextual Insights: By synthesizing information across disparate datasets, LLMs provide integrative insights into biological systems.

Challenges in Applying LLMs

Despite their promise, LLMs face limitations:

Data Quality and Bias: Inaccurate or biased datasets can affect model predictions, necessitating rigorous data curation.
Interpretability: Understanding the decision-making process of LLMs remains a critical challenge, especially in high-stakes fields like genomics and medicine.
Resource Intensity: Training and deploying LLMs require substantial computational power, which can limit accessibility.
Ethical Concerns: Handling sensitive genomic data raises privacy and security issues, emphasizing the need for ethical guidelines.

Future Prospects

The continued development of LLMs tailored for bioinformatics promises exciting advancements. Specialized models trained on omics data, open-access platforms, and interdisciplinary collaborations will expand the utility of LLMs. Moreover, integrating LLMs with other AI technologies, such as graph neural networks and reinforcement learning, can unlock deeper biological insights.

Conclusion

Large language models are revolutionizing bioinformatics by addressing longstanding challenges in data annotation, literature mining, and function prediction. Their ability to analyze complex biological datasets efficiently positions them as indispensable tools for modern research. As bioinformatics embraces AI, the synergy between LLMs and biological sciences holds the potential to unravel the complexities of life with unprecedented precision and scale.