http://www.thestreet.com/story/13151062/1/affymetrix-acquires-assets-of-eureka-genomics-corporation-to-provide-high-throughput-and-economical-crop-and-animal-genotyping.html

Understanding Genome Screening

Genome screening involves analyzing an individual's DNA to identify genetic variations that may influence health and disease susceptibility. This can range from simple single-gene tests to comprehensive whole-genome sequencing. By peering into our genetic blueprint, we can uncover risks for conditions like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even rare genetic disorders.

The process is straightforward: a saliva or blood sample is collected, and advanced sequencing technologies decipher the genetic code. The results provide a personalized health map, guiding lifestyle modifications, preventive measures, or medical interventions.

A Shift from Reactive to Proactive Healthcare

Traditional healthcare often focuses on treating diseases after they manifest. Genome screening flips this model on its head, enabling a shift toward prevention and early intervention. For instance:

• Cancer Risk Management: Individuals with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations can opt for enhanced screening programs or preventive surgeries to mitigate their risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

• Cardiovascular Health: Genetic predispositions to conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia can prompt early cholesterol monitoring and lifestyle adjustments.

• Rare Diseases: Identifying carriers of genetic disorders can aid in family planning and reduce the incidence of inherited conditions.

The Ethical and Practical Concerns

While genome screening offers incredible promise, it is not without challenges:

1. Accuracy and Interpretation: Genetic predisposition does not guarantee disease. Misinterpretation of results can lead to unnecessary anxiety or unwarranted medical interventions.

2. Privacy and Data Security: Genetic data is highly sensitive. Ensuring robust data protection measures is crucial to prevent misuse.

3. Accessibility and Equity: High costs and limited availability may restrict access to genome screening, exacerbating health disparities.

Balancing Science and Pseudoscience

The comparison of genome screening to horoscopes isn’t entirely unfounded. Both offer predictive insights, but the scientific foundation of genome screening distinguishes it from astrology. Unlike the alignment of celestial bodies, genetic predictions are based on rigorous data and evidence. However, the probabilistic nature of genetic predispositions underscores the importance of interpreting results in conjunction with clinical and lifestyle factors.

The Road Ahead

As genome screening becomes more affordable and integrated into routine healthcare, its potential to transform lives is immense. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and genetic counselors must collaborate to ensure ethical implementation, public awareness, and equitable access.

Imagine a future where your genetic "horoscope" is a trusted guide, not just a prediction. Early genome screening could help chart a healthier path for generations, making it a cornerstone of personalized medicine. After all, our genes might just hold the key to unlocking a future of better health and well-being.

Our main research themes are:

Domain annotation and metagenomics
Transcriptomics and sequence analysis
Protein evolution and interactions
Protein conformational dynamics

More at http://www.lcqb.upmc.fr/AnalGenom/home.html

We have developed panHiTE, a comprehensive and accurate pipeline for TE detection in large-scale population genomes. It has been successfully applied to hundreds of plant population genomes, demonstrating its effectiveness and scalability.

For detailed instructions, please refer to the panHiTE tutorial.

Address of the bookmark: https://github.com/CSU-KangHu/HiTE

Bioinformatics
Cancer
Epigenetics

More at http://liulab.dfci.harvard.edu/

“It’s like a subway map,” she said, “but for DNA.”

That idea is exactly what Sequence Tube Map brings to life.

Instead of showing a genome as one long, confusing sequence, it displays different genomic paths like routes on a metro map. Where sequences are shared, the paths travel together. Where genetic variation occurs, they branch into different routes and may join again later.

This makes complex genome graphs much easier to explore.

Maya could now see how different haplotypes moved through the same genomic region and where they took different paths. She could even view sequencing reads mapped onto the graph, helping her understand what was happening in regions with genetic variation.

What once looked like a tangled network now looked like a journey.

Sequence Tube Map turns the complexity of graph genomes into a visual story—making it easier for scientists to see how DNA can take different routes.

Read more at  https://github.com/vgteam/sequencetubemap 

and

https://academic.oup.com/bioinformatics/article/35/24/5318/5542397

Demo at https://vgteam.github.io/sequenceTubeMap/

Near Basant Vihar G.T. Road Bypass P.O. Box No.129

Karnal - 132001 (Haryana)

WALK-IN-INTERVIEW

A walk-in-Interview is proposed to be held at National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (Haryana)-132001 at 10:30 AM on 10.06.2015 to select One Research Associate as per details given below:

1. One post of Research Associate under National Fellow project entitled “Genome data mining to unravel molecular basis of thermotolerance and adaptation to diverse environments in native cattle and buffaloes”.

The post duration is Upto 22.05.2016 or earlier & Co-terminus with the project.

Essential Qualifications: Master’s degree (M.Sc. / M.V.Sc.) in Biotechnology/ Animal Genetics and Breeding/ Life Sciences/ Bioinformatics with 2 Years research experience in relevant subject or Ph.D in any of the above subjects.

Desirable: Working Experience in molecular biology, gene expression/ microarray data analysis, SNP genotyping and sequence data analysis, mammalian cell-culture handling etc.

Emolument: Rs. 23,000/- per month + HRA as per admissibility

Research Associate: ONE

Duration of engagement: Upto 22.05.2016 or earlier Co-terminus with the project

Age Limit:  40 years for Men  45 years for women as on date of interview

Note: Relaxation in age will be admissible for SC/ST & OBC candidates as per Govt. of India /ICAR norms

1. The applicants must bring with them original documents and brief of research work done during post graduation along with a set of photocopy and latest two passport size photographs. 2. A panel of selected candidates will also be made which may be utilized for filling of positions of shorter durations in future if demand arises. 3. Experience certificate in original, if any 4. The above positions are purely on temporary basis and are coterminus with the project. No TA/DA will be paid to attend the interview. 5. Any other clarifications can be had on the date of interview. 6. The Director’s decision will be final and binding on all respects.

Advertisement: http://210.212.93.85/RAadvertisiment.pdf

Instead of asking only whether two genes occur together across genomes, CORGIAS asks a deeper question: did these genes actually evolve together, repeatedly gaining or losing their presence in concert, or are they merely travelling together because of their inherited history? The framework introduces two complementary approaches, Ancestral State Adjustment (ASA) and the Simultaneous EVolution test (SEV), which incorporate evolutionary information into the search for gene associations. This distinction becomes increasingly important as genome sequencing continues to uncover enormous numbers of microbial genomes, many from organisms that have never been cultured and whose genes remain functionally mysterious. In this growing genomic landscape, simply finding a gene is no longer enough—we need clues about what that gene might be doing. CORGIAS approaches this problem almost like a genomic detective: rather than treating every association as evidence, it reconstructs the evolutionary story behind the association and asks whether the evidence survives that history. By doing so, it offers a way to separate coincidence from biological connection and potentially uncover functional relationships hidden within the vast microbial genomic landscape. The broader message is beautifully simple: genes do not evolve in isolation, and understanding what they do may require us to look beyond where they are today and reconstruct how they arrived there. Sometimes, the most important clue in a genome is not the gene itself, but the evolutionary journey it has taken.

More at https://academic.oup.com/nargab/article/7/4/lqaf182/8377910?

Post: Junior Research Fellow (1 Position)

Duration: Three years

Qualification: First class in M.Sc/M.tech in Bioinformatics/Life Sciences/Biophysics/ Biostatistics/Bioengineering. Experience in Database development, NGS data analysis, Systems Biology and Structural Bioinformatics is desired. Preference will be given to the candidates with good computer programming skills in C, C++, R, Perl, PHP, Unix Scripting etc.

Selected candidates will be paid fellowship as per existing DST norms.

How to apply:

Candidates are requested to apply through one of the two modes given below
1. Online application – Click here to submit the online application https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16h2GLnQ-Ny-tLtlgfY3Bx3sCjeHJE30cfhJaDqW_uRs/viewform?c=0&w=1
2. Application forms can be downloaded from here.https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwwJEudQStxFWXdNWXl4NWtDaWc/edit
Filled in application form should be sent by post to Dr. D. Bharanidharan, Department of Bioinformatics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation No 1, Anna Nagar Madurai – 625 020,

Candidates should apply by online or submit their applications by post on or before 15th June, 2015. Only Short listed candidates will be called for an interview. No TA/DA will be paid.

• Whole-genome sequencing
• Whole-exome sequencing
• RNA-seq (speical mode available)
• ChIP-seq

Address of the bookmark: http://qualimap.bioinfo.cipf.es/