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.

The Department of Informatics is a vacant position as a researcher in computer science, related to Computational Biology Unit (CBU), for 3 years.

The position is part of CBU Service Group and will focus on bioinformatic analysis project and especially the analysis of high-throughput data, including NGS (sequencing), and proteomics data.

The successful candidate will be part of the Norwegian bioinformatics platform's national helpdesk within the project ELIXIR.NO

Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant subject such as computer science, mathematics, molecular biology and also possess expertise and experience in bioinformatics statistics and analysis of data from high-throughput molecular experiment.

Basic programming or scripting skills are required. Experience in Python, R, Perl, Linux-based operating systems and moreover knowledge of databases and web programming will be a strength for applicants.

We expect enthusiasm and independence and moreover the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team environment.

Good knowledge of English is required.

Salaries start at level 57 (code 1109/LR 24.1) by appointment. Further promotion occurs after
service seniority in the position (at grade 57-65). Of particularly highly qualified applicants may be considered a higher salary.

Further information about the position is available from the chair of the CBU,
Professor Inge Jonassen, e-mail: Inge.Jonassen @ ii.uib.no

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply at any given time the position.

State employment shall as far as possible reflect the diversity of the population. It is therefore an objective to achieve a balanced age and sex composition and the recruitment of persons with immigrant backgrounds. Persons with immigrant background are requested to apply for the position.

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. If the experts find that several applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules on equal in the Personnel Regulations for Academic Positions will be applied.

University of Bergen applies the principles of public openness when recruiting staff to scientific positions.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. If the request does not host admitted to the result, the applicant shall be notified of this.

Send application, CV, certificates, diplomas, undergraduate work and a list of publications (list of publications) online by clicking on https://www.jobbnorge.no/jobbsoknet/login.aspx?returnurl=/jobbsoknet/jobapplication.aspx?jobid=95196

You need to upload certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language of appendices, such as diplomas and transcripts.

Applications sent by email to individuals at the institute will not be considered.

Deadline: 9 August 2013

Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Two postdoctoral positions (2 years with possible extensions up to 5 years) are available immediately in the evolutionary genomics group of Henrik Kaessmann.

We are seeking highly qualified and enthusiastic applicants with strong skills in computational biology/bioinformatics, preferably also with experience in data mining and comparative or evolutionary genome analysis.

We have been interested in a range of topics related to the functional evolution of genomes from primates (e.g., the emergence of new genes and their functions) and other mammals (e.g., the origin and evolution of mammalian sex chromosomes). In the framework of a recently launched series of projects, a large amount of transcriptome and genome (e.g., epigenome) data are being produced by the wet lab unit of the group using next generation sequencing technologies for a unique collection of tissues from representative mammals and outgroup species (e.g., birds). Topics of current projects based on these data include the origins and/or evolution of protein-coding genes, alternative splicing, microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and dosage compensation.

The postdoctoral fellow will perform integrated evolutionary/bioinformatics analyses based on data produced in the lab and available genomic data. The specific project will be developed together with the candidate.

The language of the institute is English, and its members form an international group that is rapidly expanding. The institute is located in Lausanne, a beautiful city at Lake Geneva.

For more information on the group and our institute more generally, please refer to our website: http://www.unil.ch/cig/page7858_en.html

Please submit a CV, statement of research interest, and names of three references to: Henrik Kaessmann (Henrik.Kaessmann@unil.ch).

Webpage : http://www.unil.ch/cig/page7858.html

The symposium will focus on topics in the below mentioned areas.

Topics: Algorithms for biomolecular sequences / structures Bioinformatics databases and tools Protein function Structure based drug design Machine learning Deep learning Large scale data analysis Big Data NGS Analysis Protein interactions/network Molecular modelling/docking/screening Biomolecular structure and function More

Info: https://web.iitm.ac.in/bioinfo2/symposium2020/home

1 Falcon https://github.com/PacificBiosciences/pb-assembly

2 Canu assembler http://canu.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

3 Miniasm assembler https://github.com/lh3/miniasm

4 PBJelly scaffolding tool https://sourceforge.net/projects/pb-jelly/

5 ARCS scaffolding tool https://github.com/bcgsc/arcs

6 Redundans reduction and scaffolding tool https://github.com/Gabaldonlab/redundans

7 Arrow error correction https://github.com/PacificBiosciences/ GenomicConsensus

8 PILON error correction https://github.com/broadinstitute/pilon/wiki

9 BUSCO single copy gene markers http://busco.ezlab.org/

10 Bandage graph assembly viewer https://rrwick.github.io/Bandage/

11 Gepard dotter http://cube.univie.ac.at/gepard

12 MUMmer aligner and plotter http://mummer.sourceforge.net/

minimap -t 24 assembly.fasta long_reads.fastq.gz | racon -t 24 long_reads.fastq.gz - assembly.fasta racon_assembly.fasta
nucmer -p nucmer assembly.fasta racon_assembly.fasta
show-snps -C -T -r nucmer.delta

This reports Racon's changes in a table. You can exclude indels with the -I option in show-snps. 

This process (Racon -> MUMmer -> SNP table) solves the problem I originally raised in this issue. So as far as I'm concerned, you can close this issue (or keep it open if you still want to implement some kind of variant table).

More at https://github.com/ekg/mutatrix

./mutatrix -S sample -P test/ -p 2 -n 10 reference.fasta

Address of the bookmark: https://github.com/ekg/mutatrix

The Job detail

Advancing the SNP-discovery and polymorphism assessment work across several germplasm panels representing global genetic diversity
Population genetic and genomic analyses, testing the hypothesis related to adaptation in multiple geographic regions
Develop SNP assays from large scale GBS and other re-sequencing data for several target traits utilizing available phenotyping data
Combined analyses of genotypic and phenotypic data for discovery of marker-trait associations, and conducting GWAS
Processing, analyzing, and archiving large-scale genomic data sets, assessing data quality, conducting analyses, interpreting findings, and communicating findings to others including preparation of reports, presentations, posters and journal articles
Providing support to MSc and PhD students on topic related to its major core of research
Any other work assigned by the supervisor

The Person:

PhD in bioinformatics, genetics, computational biology preferably with 1 to 2 years of experience;
familiar with standard bioinformatics tools and scripting languages and emerging and evolving software platforms relevant to bioinformatics and computational biology;
ability to create new analytical pipelines; experience with handling large data sets;
ability to program in at least two of the following: C++, PERL, Python, R, Java.
will use next-generation sequencing technologies to generate marker data for genetic mapping and transcriptome data for expression QTL mapping, and will be responsible for data generation as well as data analysis.

Period and Remuneration: The assignment is for a period of two years, and can be extended for another year depending on performance. ICRISAT pays a very attractive all inclusive lump sum assignment fee payable in Indian Rupees.

How to Apply: Please send your application by email to icrisatjobs@cgiar.org, stating the job title (Special project Scientist-Sorghum Genomics) clearly in the subject column, addressed to the Director, Human Resources and Operations, ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India, latest by 10 June 2014. The application should include an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae, a short statement of competencies and experience for the position, and the names and addresses (including phone/e-mail) of three referees. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

More at: http://www.icrisat.org/careers/Special-Project-Scientist-Sorghum-Genomics.htm

Walk- in- Test cum Interview (based on test) for the selection of Research Associate

under the scheme “Distributed Information Sub Centre –DISC” & Research Assistant under scheme “Phytophthora, Fusarium and Ralstonia diseases of Horticultural and Field Crops” will be held at this Institute as per details indicated below.

WALK -IN- TEST CUM INTERVIEW

Name of the post : Research Associate

Date of Interview : 21-05-2014 at 10.00 AM

No. of posts : One

Qualifications : a)Essential

Ph.D Degree in Bioinformatics OR : Masters degree in Bioinformatics with a minimum of
60% marks or equivalent OGPA with at least two years research experience as evidenced from fellowship/ associateship/training/published papers etc.

b)Desirable: Experience in NGS data analysis.

Emoluments : Rs. 23,000/- per month + HRA (Masters Degree Holders)

Rs. 24,000/- per month + HRA (Ph.D Degree Holders)

Upper age limit : 40 years for Men & 45 years for Women as on date of Interview (Upper Age limits are relaxable for SC, ST and OBC candidates as per Govt. of India norms (at present 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC)

Duration of Project : Till 31-03-2017.

Title of Assigment : Research Assistant (on contract basis)

No. of vacancy : One

Qualification : Essential : Post Graduation in Bioinformatics and Minimum one year experience in NGS data analysis

Desirable : Experience in Perl/Python/R

Remuneration : Rs. 20,000/- per month (consolidated)

Scope of work :

1. Analysis of different file formats and their conversions.

2. Assessing the quality of data and filtering of raw reads.
3. Assembling the raw reads-de novo as well as reference mapping.
4. Compression of aligned reads using Jam tools
5. RNA-seq. Analysis
6. Differential expression testing involving Normalization, Statistical testing, heat map generation & hierarchical clustering
7. Annotating the assembled genome and geneet testing and their validation
8. Metabolic pathway analysis
9. Comparative genomics
10. Setting up of genome browsers.

Period of Assigment : Initially for six months.

Date & Venue of Interview : 21-05-2014 at IISR, Kozhikode at 10.00 AM

More at http://www.spices.res.in/pdf/disc-advtmnt.pdf