BOL: Related items

MIT Computational Biology Group

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:47:01 -0600

My research group consists primarily of computer science graduate students and postdocs with expertise in algorithms, statistical inferences and machine learning, and sharing a passion for understanding fundamental biological problems.

We work in a highly interdisciplinary environment at the interface of Computer Science and Biology. Since its inception, our lab has eagerly engaged in collaborative research partnerships with biological and experimental collaborators, facilitated by our affiliation with the Broad Institute and the Computational and Systems Biology initiative (CSBi) at MIT, our participation in the Epigenome Roadmap, ENCODE, and modENCODE consortia, and by several other ongoing collaborations at MIT, Harvard, and the Harvard Medical School affiliated hospitals.

http://compbio.mit.edu/

Genetic basis of tail-loss evolution

LEGE — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:12:36 -0600

The paper "On the genetic basis of tail-loss evolution in humans and apes (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07095-8)", published in Nature, investigates the genetic mechanisms that led to the loss of tails in humans and apes. The study suggests that a specific genetic mutation, involving the insertion of an Alu element (a type of transposable DNA sequence), played a critical role in the evolutionary transition from tailed primates to tailless hominoids.

Key Findings of the Study:

Alu Insertion and Tail Loss:
The researchers discovered an Alu-mediated genetic change in a common ancestor of modern apes and humans. This change disrupted the normal function of a gene involved in tail development, leading to the suppression of tail formation.
Gene Disruption Mechanism:
The Alu insertion was found within a regulatory region of the TBXT gene (also known as T or Brachyury), which is crucial for tail development in vertebrates. This insertion likely altered the gene's expression patterns, leading to tail reduction over evolutionary time.
Functional Evidence from Model Organisms:
To test their hypothesis, the researchers introduced similar genetic modifications in mice. The modified mice exhibited shortened or absent tails, supporting the idea that the identified mutation played a role in tail loss in hominoids.
Evolutionary Implications:
The findings suggest that small, random genomic changes—such as transposable element insertions—can have profound effects on body morphology. This study provides evidence that mobile DNA elements (like Alu) can drive major evolutionary transitions.
Relevance to Human Evolution:
Understanding the genetic basis of tail loss helps in reconstructing the evolutionary history of hominins (the lineage that includes humans and our extinct relatives). It also sheds light on how genetic variations contribute to anatomical diversity among primates.

Significance of the Study:

This research highlights the role of transposable elements in shaping evolutionary traits and provides a concrete genetic explanation for a defining characteristic of humans and great apes. It also demonstrates how mutations in regulatory regions of developmental genes can lead to significant anatomical changes.

Bioinformatics Scientist at ICAR Labs

Sun, 21 Dec 2014 23:47:03 -0600

AGRICUL AGRICULTURAL SCIENTISTS RECRUITMENT BOARD TURAL SCIENTISTS RECRUITMENT BOARD
KRISHI ANUSANDHAN BHAVAN-I, PUSA, NEW DELHI-110 012

ADVERTISEMENT NO. 03/2014

PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST

Pay Band: Minimum pay of `43,000 in the PB-4 of `37400-67000/- + RGP of `10,000/-.

Age: The candidates must not have attained the age of 52 years as on 19.01.2015. There shall be no age limit for the Council’s employees.

ICAR-Indian Institute for Agricultural Biotechnology, (IIAB) Ranchi (Jharkhand)

151. Principal Scientist (Bioinformatics) (One post)

SENIOR SCIENTIST/PROGRAMME COORDINATOR

Pay Band: PB-4 of ` 37400-67000/- + RGP of ` 9,000/-.

Age: The candidates must not have attained the age of 47 years as on 19.01.2015. There shall be no age limit for the Council’s employees.

National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur (Chhattishgarh)

166. Senior Scientist (Bioinformatics) (One post)

IMPORTANT NOTE
I. (i) CLOSING DATE

THE CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENTISTS RECRUITMENT BOARD IS 19.01.2015 (For applications posted from abroad and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshdweep, Minicoy and Amindivi islands, States/ Union Territories in the North-Eastern Region, Ladakh Division of J & K State, Sikkim, Pangi, Sub-division of Chamba, Lahul and Spiti Districts of Himachal Pradesh, the last date for receipt of application will be 02.02.2015). Non receipt of the application by the closing date will result in rejection of the application.

More Info: http://asrb.org.in/administrator/uploads_dir/1418978057english.pdf

Claus-Peter Stelzer Lab

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 15:24:41 -0500

Interested in various topics at the intersection of ecology and evolution. In my research I use rotifers as model organisms for experimental studies at the individual and population level. Rotifers are ideally suited for this, because populations of thousands can be kept in small containers in the lab, while single individuals can still be handled conveniently.

More at https://www.uibk.ac.at/limno/personnel/stelzer/index.html.en#research

TEDMED Great Challenges: Genomics and Medicine: Where promise meets clinical practice

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 12:05:32 -0600

November 21, 2013 - NHGRI Director Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D, hosted the TEDMED Google+ Hangout to discuss genomic medicine with an all-star cast that includes Carlos Bustamante, James Evans, Amy McGuire and Sharon Terry. More: http://www.tedmed.com/greatchallenges

Which of the followings are the best place to study Bioinformatics ?

Reshma Khatun — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 00:20:30 -0600

Bioinformatics is a major growth area and qualified Bioinformaticians are in high demand. An explosion in biological data has resulted from genome projects, next generation sequencing and other 'omics' techniques. Bioinformatics provides the tools to analyse and exploit such data sets.

Can you please suggest me the best place to study bioinformatics ( Grad/PostGrad).

MedGenome is looking for Genome Analysts

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 11:06:23 -0600

MedGenome is looking for Genome Analysts (5-6 Positions), ambitious and energetic who will work both independently and as part of a collaborative team to generate data from various genomics-oriented workflows and assist in the optimization and validation of new technologies and procedures.
• Master’s in Science, 0 – 4 years of relevant experience
• Interpretation of variants/mutations causing genetic disorders using standard guidelines.
• Support in data analysis of projects

Reach out to careers@medgenome.com with your detailed profile.

Roche has acquired Bina Technologies !!!

Jit — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 09:42:16 -0600

Bina Technologies is a privately held company that provides a big data platform for centralized management and processing of next generation sequencing (NGS) data for the academic and translational research markets. Bina will be integrated into the Roche Sequencing Unit, and will continue to focus on development of their innovative genomic analysis solution.

Roche has acquired Bina Technologies, a privately-owned biotech company based in California. The biotech’s first product was the Bina Box, a platform for secondary genomic analysis, sequence alignment, and variant calling, but since 2012, it has developed other products and platforms.

It is our shared vision with Roche that informatics and data sciences are critical elements of an end-to-end genomics solution. Fast, easy-to-use, scalable, and robust informatics solutions make a big difference in the quality and impact of the work of scientists and researchers. We believe in the future of data-driven, personalized medicine. We are passionate about accelerating that future together with Roche.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. For Roche, the move is yet another in a string of acquisitions. Last week (December 18), Roche paid $489 million for antibody maker Dutalys. And earlier this month, Roche bought prenatal testing company Ariosa Diagnostics.

Reference

http://blog.bina.com/news/bina-technologies-acquired-by-roche?&__hssc=109677338.1.1419953400266&__hstc=109677338.b8350f2729889b08f1325906d5236cd3.1419953400266.1419953400266.1419953400266.1&hsCtaTracking=96cac941-9372-4bbf-bacb-3ca6f1ff8cfd|3fce0f18-835b-4086-9345-388880861732

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/41750/title/Roche-Buys-Bioinformatics-Firm/

Scripted DNA !!!

Jit — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 17:44:04 -0500

As per bioinformatician DNA is partially scripted ;) You dont believe in it. Please have a look at image carefully:)

Type Hinting

Pranjali Yadav — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:26:13 -0600

Python creator Guido van Rossum’s proposal for static type-checking annotations is inching closer to reality, and the feature has taken on a new name: type hinting.

Back in August, van Rossum published a proposal on the Python mailing list recommending type-checking annotations as a valuable feature for the next version of Python to improve the performance of editors and IDEs, linter capabilities, standard notation, and refactoring. Van Rossum’s latest proposal, posted late last month, outlined plans to publish a Python Enhancement Proposal (PEP) in early January to put the feature now known as type hinting on track for inclusion in Python 3.5, slated for release this September.

Reference

https://quip.com/r69HA9GhGa7J