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

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.

To fully leverage these opportunities, bioinformaticians require specialized tools and databases. This blog highlights essential resources for mycology research, focusing on databases, tools, and platforms tailored for fungal biology.

1. Fungal Databases

1.1. MycoCosm

Website: MycoCosm
Developed by the DOE Joint Genome Institute, MycoCosm is a comprehensive portal for fungal genomics. It offers genomic and transcriptomic data for a wide range of fungi, including saprobes, pathogens, and symbionts.

• Key Features: Genome browsers, comparative genomics tools, and functional annotations.
• Best For: Large-scale studies on fungal evolution and ecology.

1.2. FungiDB

Website: FungiDB
FungiDB is an integrated genomic resource for fungal pathogens and non-pathogens. It provides access to genome sequences, transcriptomic data, and functional annotations.

• Key Features: Advanced search options, BLAST, and pathway analysis tools.
• Best For: Studying fungal pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions.

1.3. Index Fungorum

Website: Index Fungorum
This nomenclatural database provides information on the scientific names of fungi. It’s an essential resource for taxonomists and researchers focused on fungal biodiversity.

• Key Features: Taxonomic hierarchy and synonymy tracking.
• Best For: Identifying and classifying fungal species.

1.4. UNITE

Website: UNITE
UNITE is a specialized database for fungal ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) sequences, often used in fungal identification and phylogenetics.

• Key Features: Curated reference datasets and community annotations.
• Best For: Environmental mycology and microbial ecology studies.

2. Analytical Tools

2.1. Funannotate

Repository: GitHub - Funannotate
Funannotate is a genome annotation tool designed for fungi. It supports tasks like gene prediction, functional annotation, and orthology analysis.

• Best For: Annotating newly sequenced fungal genomes.

2.2. BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs)

Website: BUSCO
BUSCO evaluates genome assembly and annotation completeness using orthologs. It includes a fungal-specific dataset.

• Best For: Assessing the quality of fungal genome assemblies.

2.3. Pathogen-Host Interactions Database (PHI-base)

Website: PHI-base
PHI-base is a manually curated resource containing information on pathogen-host interactions, including fungal pathogens.

• Best For: Exploring virulence factors and host-pathogen relationships.

3. Visualization Platforms

3.1. Cytoscape

Website: Cytoscape
A powerful tool for visualizing molecular interaction networks, Cytoscape can be used to study protein-protein interactions, gene networks, and metabolic pathways in fungi.

• Best For: Network biology and functional genomics.

3.2. iTOL (Interactive Tree of Life)

Website: iTOL
iTOL is an interactive tool for visualizing phylogenetic trees.

• Best For: Displaying fungal phylogenies and comparing evolutionary relationships.

4. Community Resources

4.1. Mycological Society of America (MSA)

Website: MSA
The MSA promotes fungal research and provides access to resources, conferences, and publications.

• Best For: Networking with fungal researchers and accessing recent studies.

4.2. OpenFungi

Website: OpenFungi
OpenFungi is an open-source initiative providing fungal genomic and transcriptomic datasets for research and education.

• Best For: Sharing and accessing public fungal datasets.

5. Genomics Workflows

5.1. Galaxy

Website: Galaxy Project
Galaxy offers a web-based platform for reproducible bioinformatics workflows, including tools for fungal genome and transcriptome analysis.

• Best For: User-friendly analysis pipelines without requiring coding skills.

5.2. Snakemake

Repository: Snakemake
A flexible pipeline management tool that supports fungal data processing and analysis.

• Best For: Custom workflows for large-scale fungal datasets.

Conclusion

Fungal research is a rapidly growing field with vast implications for medicine, agriculture, and industry. For bioinformaticians, the availability of specialized resources—databases, tools, and community platforms—opens doors to innovative discoveries. Whether you are investigating fungal genomics, studying host-pathogen interactions, or exploring fungal biodiversity, the resources outlined above will empower your research journey.

Dive into these resources and help unravel the mysteries of the fungal kingdom!

• Bioconductor – A plethora of tools for analysis and comprehension of high-throughput genomic data, including 1500+ software packages. [ paper-2004 | web ]
• Biopython – Freely available tools for biological computing in Python, with included cookbook, packaging and thorough documentation. Part of the Open Bioinformatics Foundation. Contains the very useful Entrez package for API access to the NCBI databases. [ paper-2009 | web ]
• Bioconda – A channel for the conda package manager specializing in bioinformatics software. Includes a repository with 3000+ ready-to-install (with conda install) bioinformatics packages. [ paper-2018 | web ]
• BioJulia – Bioinformatics and computational biology infastructure for the Julia programming language. [ web ]
• Rust-Bio – Rust implementations of algorithms and data structures useful for bioinformatics. [ paper-2016 ]
• SeqAn – The modern C++ library for sequence analysis.

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

https://function.princeton.edu/

Adapter sequences:
Optimal enzymes for amplifying sequencing libraries.
Quail, M. a et al. Nat. Methods 9, 10-1 (2012).

GAGE:
GAGE: A critical evaluation of genome assemblies and assembly algorithms.
Salzberg, S. L. et al. Genome Res. 22, 557-67 (2012).

KMC:
Disk-based k-mer counting on a PC.
Deorowicz, S., Debudaj-Grabysz, A. & Grabowski, S. BMC Bioinformatics 14, 160 (2013).

Kraken:
Kraken: ultrafast metagenomic sequence classification using exact alignments.
Wood, D. E. & Salzberg, S. L. Genome Biol. 15, R46 (2014).

MUMmer:
Versatile and open software for comparing large genomes.
Kurtz, S. et al. Genome Biol. 5, R12 (2004).

R:
R: A language and environment for statistical computing.
R Core Team (2013). R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. URL http://www.R-project.org/.

RATT:
RATT: Rapid Annotation Transfer Tool.
Otto, T. D., Dillon, G. P., Degrave, W. S. & Berriman, M. Nucleic Acids Res. 39, e57 (2011).

SAMtools:
The Sequence Alignment/Map format and SAMtools.
Li, H. et al. Bioinformatics 25, 2078-9 (2009).

Trimmomatic:
Trimmomatic: A flexible trimmer for Illumina Sequence Data.
Bolger, A. M., Lohse, M. & Usadel, B. Bioinformatics 1-7 (2014).

Last Date for Submitting Application: 25th November 2013

1. Senior Scientist: (01 position)
Pay Scale: Rs.40, 000/-
Qualifications: PhD/ Post Doctoral with Experience in CADD

2. Junior Scientist (10 positions)
Pay Scale: Rs. 22,000/-
Qualifications: MPhil / Masters Degree in Bioinformatics / Computational Biology / CADD / Ayurveda

3. Technical Assistant (01+01 positions)
Pay Scale: Rs.12,000/-
Qualifications: 1. BSc Computer Science/ MCA
Qualifications: 2. MSc Biotechnology / MSc Microbiology

4. Programmer (01 position)
Pay Scale: Rs.20,000/-
Qualifications: MSc Computer Science/ MCA / B Tech (Experience in MATLAB, C, C++) Industrial experience is desirable

5. Teaching Assistant (03 positions)
Pay Scale: Rs.10,000/-
Qualifications: MSc in Bioinformatics

6. Administration Assistant (02 positions)
Pay Scale: Rs.8,000/-
Qualifications: Degree + PGDCA

The Selection process comprises of written test and interview. Positions are purely temporary (initially for the period of one year) and co-terminus with the project. For more details mail to: cbi.uok [at] gmail.com

More detail @ https://sites.google.com/site/centreforbioinformatics/announcements/applicationsinvitedforapplicationforai-caddproject

• In a GitHub or GitLab repository
• Free to use
• Written in markdown or similar

NOTE: This list of courses is selected only based on the above criteria.
There are no checks on quality.

https://glittr.org/?per_page=25&sort_by=stargazers&sort_direction=desc

Address of the bookmark: https://glittr.org/?per_page=25&sort_by=stargazers&sort_direction=desc

WALK-IN-INTERVIEW

The following vacancies shall be filled purely on adhoc basis under Non-Institutional adhoc project “Bioinformatics in ICMR Institutes” funded by Indian Council of Medical Research at Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, to be renewed annually and filled through Walk-in-Interview as indicated below. Candidates who wish to appear for the Walk-in-Interview can download the application format given in the website of Vector Control Research Centre (www.vcrc.res.in). Duly filled in application along with attested copies of certificate should be submitted at time of interview.

Date & Time : 05.12.2013 at 9.00 AM – Scientist-C (Non-Medical)

05.12.2013 at 1.30 PM – Scientist-B (Non-Medical)
06.12.2013 at 9.00 AM – Technical Assistant (Research Assistant)
06.12.2013 at 1.30 PM – Multi Tasking Staff (General)

Place : Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry

Project entitled : Biomedical Informatics Centres of ICMR

1. Scientist - C (Non-Medical) Number of post – ONE

Essential qualification

B.E./ B. Tech. Degree in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology from a recognized University with 6 years experience in the relevant field OR

First class Master’s Degree and Ph.D. Degree in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology from a recognized University OR

First class Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology from a recognized University with 4 years R & D experience in the related subjects as mentioned above OR

Second class Master’s Degree + Ph.D. in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology from a recognized University with 4 years research experience in bio-medical subjects

Age: Not exceeding 40 years Consolidated Salary – Rs.39,960/- p.m. + HRA as
admissible

Desirable qualification (i) Post-doctorate in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology or M.E. / M. Tech. Degree in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology from a recognized University for candidates with First Class relevant degree.

(ii) Additional post-doctoral research / teaching experience in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology in recognized Institute(s).

(iii) Knowledge of computer applications or data management

Job requirements i) To apply Bioinformatics / Computational Biology tools in understanding interactions between vectors and parasites/ pathogens and target based development of drug / insecticides.

ii) To assist the investigators to carry out genomic studies on parasites/pathogens/vectors of vector borne diseases

Advertisement: http://vcrc.res.in/Adv_Bio13.pdf