More at http://www.cmdn.org.np/main/index.php

The vital metaphase stage of cell division, when the sister chromatids migrated to the centre and lined up in a row, and pulled apart using attached microtubules in such a way that half the DNA ends up in each daughter cell. However, before the mitotic spindle‐mediated movement gets start and pulled DNA apart, the chromosomes are free to undergo recombination which involves the exchange of genetic material either between multiple chromosomes or between different regions of the same chromosome.

During recombination, the precise breakage of each strand, exchange between the strands, and sealing of the resulting recombined molecules happens. The “chromosomal breakpoints” refers to these places where they break. Mostly, this process occurs with a high degree of accuracy at high frequency in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. But occasionally this “break and sealing/ break and reattach” process goes wrong and the reattachment happens in the wrong place which usually create disaster (with few exceptions).These chromosome disaster or abnormalities involve the gain, loss or rearrangement of visible amounts of genetic material during cell division. These abnormalities are of two type, the first one is numerical abnormalities  where severe disorders are caused by the loss or gain of whole chromosomes, which affect the copy number of hundreds or even thousands of genes. The second are structural abnormalities which can be unbalanced or balanced. The former are similar to numerical abnormalities in that genetic material is either gained or lost. The natural defects in chromosome segregation are linked to cancer and several genetic diseases (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_genetic_disorders). Therefore, the enzymes involved in regulating cell division are still the attractive drug targets for many diseases.

Apart from certain chromosome abnormalities, these “crossing over” of segments of maternal and paternal chromosomes to form hybrid chromosomes have some evolutionary importance and considered as a driver of genetic variation. Moreover, the chromosome breakage in evolution is considered to be non-random in nature(http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pcbi.0020014). In addition the study of breakpoint regions and non-breakpoint (stable) regions of chromosomes indicates both the regions evolved in distinctly different ways ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2675965/). These breakage may lead to genetic diseases or participate to chromosomal rearranmgnets and contributed in development of new species.

I will try to explain the genome hotspots/Evolutionary Breakpoint Regions(EBRs)/fragile regions/weak fragments/  in my next blog.

Software for recombination detection:

RAT http://cbr.jic.ac.uk/dicks/software/RAT/

Breakpointer https://github.com/ruping/Breakpointer

DRP http://web.cbio.uct.ac.za/~darren/rdp.html

RB-finder http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18707535

LDhat2.0 http://ldhat.sourceforge.net/LDhat2.0/instructions.shtml

Reference:

http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetic-recombination-514#

Image: Wikipedia , sciencelearn.org.nz

Recommended Articles:

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/05/22/13-chromosomal-disorders-youve-never-heard-of/

http://web.udl.es/usuaris/e4650869/docencia/segoncicle/genclin98/recursos_classe_%28pdf%29/revisionsPDF/chromosyndromes.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2775595/table/T2/

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/chromosomal/

http://www.ncert.nic.in/html/learning_basket/biology/cc&cd.pdf

Our present objectives is to identify and isolate the substances secreted by Spalax cells, resolve with which components they interact that are active only on cancer cells, in order to unravel the biological mechanisms and pathways that evolved in Spalax cell machinery and ultimately lead to the death of cancer-cells. The study could attest to be a breakthrough in cancer research, using the long lived, hypoxia- and cancer-tolerant Spalax as a significant biological resource for biomedical research that hopefully could open new horizons in treatment and prevention of cancer in humans.

Contact: The applications should be submitted, together with extended CV and bibliography, summary of past accomplishments, and contact information of 3 referees, to Prof of Research Aaron Avivi (aaron@research.haifa.ac.il) AND Dr. Imad Shams (imadshams@gmail.com). (http://bit.ly/1lywShk) aaron@research.haifa.ac.il

More at http://evolution.haifa.ac.il/index.php/29-people/personal-websites/77-personal-site-avivi

The Role

We are looking for a Software Engineer - Computational Biologist with 3+
years' experience in a similar role to design and implement a backend system
to support an online individualised genomics interface. This position is a
great opportunity for an ambitious, self-motivated individual to work in a
demanding, challenging and interesting role.

Position Description:
. Participate in planning, design, and implementation of Equinome back
end systems and technologies.
. Implement interfaces and management tools for back end services.
. Manage, analyse, interpret and visualise large genomics data sets.
. Work closely with scientific team to develop new features and
application enhancements
. Design, develop and manage a genomics research database.

Qualification/Experience:
. Minimum MSc in Computer Science, Genetics, Bioinformatics or in a
related field (A Ph.D qualification would be an advantage).
. Proven 3+ years of experience in similar role.
. Highly proficient in Python, SQL, MySQL.
. Excellent knowledge of mammalian genomics, bioinformatics and
statistical/population genetics.
. Hands-on experience working with large data sets.
. Experience with front-end technologies (HTML/CSS/Javascript) an
advantage.
. Experience in rapid web application development: e.g. Django.
. Knowledge or experience of Unix Scripting and R statistical
programming language would be an advantage.
. Ability to work with minimum supervision to deliver high-quality
code on time.
. Fluency in English and good written and communication skills.
. Meticulous attention to detail.

Applications should be submitted before Friday, 26 September 2014 using the
following link:
http://bit.ly/WgbhxS

Note: Full information and application procedure is available at this link:
http://bit.ly/WgbhxS

More http://www.nieduszynski.org/index.php
http://www.path.ox.ac.uk/research/cell-biology-and-pathology/conrad-nieduszynski-group

Please visit our site at www.arraygen.com

JRF (Maximum Tenure‐ Five Years: 2yrs as JRF and 3yrs as SRF)
A first class Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics (likely 2 posts)
Around Rs 16,000/ Plus 30% HRA (as per rules of funding agency)

Applications are invited from candidates possessing the above qualifications. The upper age limit is as on the last date for receipt of application. (5 years relaxation to SC/ST candidates, 3 years to OBC candidates, and other entitled categories as per Govt rules). Actual No. of vacancies may vary.

Application form can be download from the website www.drdo.gov.in and E Mailed to inmashrd@gmail.com.
Last date to apply by email is 1700 hrs on 15 Oct 2014
Incomplete applications are liable to be rejected.
Confirmation will be sent to short-listed candidates through email only
Antecedents of selected candidates will be verified.
Written Test will be conducted from 0930-1030 hrs. Latecomers will not be considered.
Candidates will be required to produce certificates/testimonials in original at the time of interview.
It may please be noted that offer of Fellowship does not confer on fellows any right for absorption in DRDO.
Candidates should carry photocopy of Application form sent by email with them.
No TA/DA will be paid for attending interview & on joining.
Last date to apply by email is 1700 hrs on 15 Oct 2014

More at http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/jrf29092014.pdf
http://drdo.gov.in/drdo/English/index.jsp?pg=inmas29092014.jsp