Metagenomic simulators are a way of dealing with this issue; they produce artificial sequencing datasets in which both the composition of the microorganisms and the expected results are known. Researchers can then test a pipeline on such a controlled dataset and see precisely how well it functions. However, as metagenomic studies have become larger, more diverse, and more complex, simply generating artificial reads is no longer sufficient. The simulators now have to replicate community variation, sequencing errors, different sequencing platforms, massive data volumes, and even laboratory-based biases.

MIDASim (2024) was designed with a particular emphasis on microbial community dynamics. Unlike previous tools which regarded each simulated sample as individual, MIDASim is able to efficiently generate realistic multi-sample microbiome datasets, covering the cases where changes over time are being tracked. This feature is particularly useful when investigating how microbial communities vary between people, different experimental setups, or at various times. By overcoming the computational limitations of earlier simulation methods, MIDASim has made it easier to carry out large and complex microbiome simulation studies.

A major challenge is scale. Since modern metagenomic projects can involve millions or even billions of sequencing reads, generating such large synthetic datasets can become a significant computational problem. In order to tackle this issue, Izzy (2025) was developed. As a high-throughput metagenomic read simulator, Izzy is designed with speed in mind while still reproducing the typical patterns of sequencing errors. The people who developed it stated that it can be as much as 60 times faster than earlier tools, which makes large-scale simulations far more practical. Now, researchers can begin to ask not how long a simulation will take but rather what size dataset they want to test.

At the same time, the sequencing technology became more diverse. Researchers were not any longer restricted to using Illumina short reads since Oxford Nanopore and PacBio long-read sequencing also became important in the field of metagenomic research. In order to address these new requirements, MeSS (Metagenomic Sequence Simulator, 2025) was developed. The programme is based on a Snakemake framework and is therefore compatible with the Illumina, Oxford Nanopore and PacBio platforms. MeSS has also been designed to operate efficiently and to use less memory than earlier tools; it provides ready-made templates for the microbiomes of different sites in the human body, thus giving researchers a simple means of beginning to generate realistic simulated communities.

The simulation problem became even more specialized. Suppose that sequencing is not based on uniform sampling of DNA? In the case of targeted sequencing and hybridization-capture experiments, particular sequences are deliberately enriched, and the probability of capturing a target depends on both the probe and the target sequence. A standard model based on uniform sampling might fail to take into account this important feature of real experiments. That is why RAmpSim has been designed specifically to handle simulations for capture-based and targeted sequencing. Instead of depending solely on the assumption of uniform sampling, it includes a thermodynamic nearest-neighbor energy model to represent probe–target interactions and sequence-dependent enrichment. As a result, it is especially suitable for applications such as hybridization capture in metagenomics, where the efficiency of recovering a sequence can depend strongly on how it relates to the capture probes. RAmpSim thus reflects a wider trend towards simulations that aim not only to reproduce sequencing output but also key aspects of the experimental process itself.

MIDASim, Izzy, MeSS and RAmpSim all demonstrate how fast metagenomic simulation is evolving. MIDASim is able to deal with realistic variation within a large number of and changing microbial communities. Izzy overcomes the problem of generating very large datasets. MeSS provides support for a number of sequencing technologies in an efficient and repeatable manner. RAmpSim increases the experimental realism for capture-based sequencing. Although each of these tools addresses a separate issue, they all contribute to advancing the field.

Modern metagenomic simulation therefore aims not only at producing artificial FASTQ files. Researchers nowadays desire simulated datasets that reflect community changes, incorporate the characteristics of the sequencing platform, include real error patterns, take into account computational scale, and account for experimental biases. As metagenomic workflows become more advanced, the simulators have to keep up with this development. The tools are now going beyond that of simple data generators; they produce controlled versions of complex metagenomic experiments and thus provide researchers with something that ordinary sequencing data seldom does: a dataset in which the answer is known before any analysis takes place.

Paper:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25940625

More at http://cbio.ensmp.fr/centurion/

Address of the bookmark: http://cbio.ensmp.fr/centurion/

Address of the bookmark: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/

More at http://web.natur.cuni.cz/~radkas/index.php?page=research

Address of the bookmark: https://www.ensembl.org/info/genome/variation/prediction/predicted_data.html

Simple and efficient tools for data mining and data analysis
Accessible to everybody, and reusable in various contexts
Built on NumPy, SciPy, and matplotlib
Open source, commercially usable - BSD license

More at http://scikit-learn.org/stable/index.html

Address of the bookmark: http://scikit-learn.org/stable/auto_examples/index.html

Umshing, Shillong- 793 022

Applications are invited for the following positions (purely temporary posts) in an UGC-ISF funded Indo-Israel Joint Research Project entitled “Interactions of mRNA export factors and nuclear pores characterized and quantified by biochemistry, biophysics and high-resolution imaging” sanctioned to Dr. Timir Tripathi, Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, NEHU, Shillong for 3 years (2016-19).

Details of positions:

1. Research Associate (two): bioinformatics/computational biology (One) and wet-lab biophysics (one).

2. Junior Research Fellow, JRF (One).

3. Project Assistant (One).

Fellowship: As per GOI rules.

Essential Qualifications:

1. Research Associate: Ph.D. in the above-mentioned fields, should be evident through quality publications. Those who have submitted Ph.D. thesis can also apply.

2. Junior Research Fellow: M.Sc. or equivalent in any branch of life sciences with a good academic record. Prior research experience is desirable.

3. Project Assistant: Graduation in any subject.

Must be familiar with working on computer and MS-Office.

Interested students can apply for the positions online using the following link http://goo.gl/forms/FEa802lNGc , latest by 16.03.16. The hard copy of the application is not required. The date of interview will be informed after primary scrutiny of the applications.

No TA/DA will be paid if called for interview. For any other enquiry email at msb.biochem@gmail.com .

For details of the research work of the PI’s group please visit www.ttripathi.webs.com

ICRISAT is headquartered in Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and five country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT, established in 1972, is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. For more details, see www.icrisat.org.

Responsibilities:Design efficient SQL queries for pulling large sequencing projects.
Serve as a technical adviser to the project leadership and provide computational perspective on product design and deliverability.
Develop and oversee a rapid and incremental software development and release schedule.
Design the software architecture, oversee the implementation and evolution of the design on appropriate hardware platforms.
Working collaboratively in a team environment to design, code, test, debug, and document programs for an integrated genomic analysis pipeline in a rapid and incremental software development and release schedule.
Supervise and review code development and ensure that software products meet project objectives in terms of functionality, scalability, robustness and user experience.
Implement and oversee the QA/QC practices to ensure the development team is adhering to quality standards.
Work closely with the application specialist to integrate feedbacks from teams in each CGIAR center into software customization and improvement.
Assist in training of breeders in the CGIAR centers to use software developed.
Personal Profile:

The applicant should have:

Understanding of genomics data and advanced knowledge of Java, and C/C++ as the programming languages and any of the scripting language like perl and/or Python, SQL
High Performance Computing, data architecture, database platforms and QA/QC practices in software engineering.
She/he should have solid experience in software development projects, preferably as a senior programmer or in the software project management role, and in projects involving big data.
Excellent communication skills are needed to work in this multi-disciplinary, multi-location and multi-cultural team.
Ability to mentor colleagues in quality software development practices is desired.
Educational Qualification : Ph. D or Masters Degree in Computational Biology / Computational Genomics or Equivalent with Research Experience in Mentioned Areas.

More at http://www.icrisat.org/careers/

Eligibility

Interested applicants must

Have around 10 years of experience as independent investigator, and can be of any age or nationality
Have Sponsor(s) at not-for-profit Host Institution(s) in India, who is willing to extend the desired commitment and resources for program implementation
Provisions

The 5 year Fellowship provides

Generous personal support for the Fellow
Salary support for personnel, which may include Assistant Professors
Large quantum of funds for equipment, animals and consumables
Funds to attend scientific gatherings, for collaborative visits and to organize meetings
Overheads for the Host Institution
Process

A joint online application is invited from the Applicant and the Sponsor(s). The details of the scheme and the funding mechanism are available on the website at http://wellcomedbt.org/fellowshiptype/margdarshi-fellowships.

Application form can be accessed at https://fellowships.wellcomedbt.org/Login.aspx

Sponsored applications due by 2 May 2016

Send your inquiries to margdarshi@wellcomedbt.org

More at http://www.atgc.org/PhyloGrapher/PhyloGrapher_Welcome.html

Address of the bookmark: http://www.atgc.org/PhyloGrapher/PhyloGrapher_Welcome.html