More at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34951622/

Address of the bookmark: https://github.com/EbmeyerSt/GEnView

In this post, we’ll explore the core methods used in comparative genomics, the questions they help answer, and how they’re shaping our understanding of life.

1. Whole-Genome Alignment
Whole-genome alignment involves mapping the entire genome of one species to another. Tools like MUMmer, MAUVE, and LASTZ perform large-scale sequence alignments to detect conserved regions, rearrangements, insertions, and deletions.

Use Case:
Comparing human and chimpanzee genomes to identify evolutionary conserved sequences (ECS) and regions of divergence.

Key Challenges:
Handling repetitive sequences and genome rearrangements.

Computational complexity in large genomes.

2. Synteny and Collinearity Analysis
Synteny refers to conserved blocks of gene order across species. Tools like MCScanX, SynMap, or CHITRA (for visualizing synteny interactively) detect these blocks to understand chromosomal evolution.

Use Case:
Studying ancient genome duplications in plants.

Investigating chromosomal rearrangements in cancer genomes.

3. Ortholog and Paralog Detection
Orthologs are genes in different species that evolved from a common ancestor, while paralogs are genes duplicated within a genome. Identifying them is crucial for functional annotation and evolutionary studies.

Popular Tools:
OrthoFinder, Orthologous MAtrix (OMA), InParanoid, and EggNOG.

Use Case:
Functional prediction of uncharacterized genes based on orthologs in model organisms.

Tracing gene family evolution.

4. Phylogenomic Analysis
Phylogenomic methods combine phylogenetics and genomics to infer evolutionary trees based on genome-wide data. These methods can handle dozens to hundreds of genomes, using concatenated alignments or gene trees.

Tools:
RAxML, IQ-TREE, ASTRAL, Phylip, BEAST.

Use Case:
Resolving the evolutionary relationships between microbial species.

Studying speciation events.

5. Pan-Genome Analysis
The pan-genome consists of the core genome (shared by all strains) and the accessory genome (strain-specific genes). This is especially popular in microbial genomics.

Tools:
Roary, Panaroo, BPGA, PGAP.

Use Case:
Understanding virulence factor diversity in E. coli.

Designing broad-spectrum vaccines.

6. Comparative Transcriptomics
Comparing transcriptomes across species or conditions reveals conserved and unique expression patterns. RNA-seq data can be mapped to reference genomes to identify orthologous expression profiles.

Use Case:
Comparing stress response in extremophiles and model species.

Studying conserved regulatory networks.

7. Functional Element Comparison
Beyond genes, comparative genomics also targets non-coding regions—enhancers, promoters, miRNAs. Conservation across species often implies functional importance.

Tools:
PhastCons, GERP, phyloP (based on multiple alignments).

Use Case:
Detecting conserved non-coding elements in vertebrates.

Studying regulatory divergence in human evolution.

8. Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) Detection
In microbes, genes often jump across species boundaries. Comparative genomics can detect HGT by identifying genes that defy the expected phylogenetic pattern.

Tools:
HGTector, DarkHorse, AlienHunter, SIGI-HMM.

Use Case:
Tracing antibiotic resistance genes.

Exploring microbial adaptability in extreme environments.

Final Thoughts
Comparative genomics is a powerful lens to observe the diversity and unity of life. With a broad toolkit—from aligners to orthology pipelines, phylogenetic engines to visualization tools—it allows scientists to ask big questions: How did genomes evolve? What makes species unique? Where do new genes come from?

Whether you're studying extremophiles, building better crops, or exploring human ancestry, comparative genomics offers the methods to connect the dots across the tree of life.

Topics

bioinformatics, system biology, genomics, proteomic, sequencing, neuroinformatics, translational medicine, stem cells, supercomputing in biology

Weblink

http://conf.nsc.ru/BGRSSB2014

Contact

Prof. N.A.Kolchanov , Institute of Cytology and Genetics , Novosibirsk ; Phone: [+7(383)3634980]; Email: bgrs2014@bionet.nsc.ru

Essential qualifications: First class M. Sc. in any branch of life sciences and qualified CSIR-UGC NET/GATE Examination.

Desirable qualifications: Practical experience in biochemical and biophysical studies of proteins

Emoluments: as per DBT norms

The project is tenable for two years, initially for one year.

Age: Below 28 years (relaxable in the case of SC/ST/OBC/women candidates)

Candidates are requested to bring two sets of complete applications on plain paper furnishing bio-data and copies of attested certificates along with originals (for verification) on the date of interview.

No TA/DA is admissible for candidates appearing at the interview.

Dr. Rajat Banerjee
Assistant Professor
Department of Biotechnology and
Dr. B. C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
University College of Science
35, Ballygunge Circular Road
Kolkata 700019

Advertisement: www.caluniv.ac.in/news/jrf_biotech_2.pdf

Walk-in-Interview will be held on 04th March 2015 at 11.30 A.M. in the Bio- Informatics Centre of Bose Institute, P-1/12, C.I.T. Scheme VII-M, Kolkata- 700054 for two (02) positions of Research Associate/ Extended Senior Research Fellow in the DBT sponsored following two projects running under the CoE- Bioinformatics under the guidance of Prof. Pinakpani Chakrabarti, Bioinformatics Centre.

Position : RA/SRF
Project title : 1. "Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bioinformatics at Bose Institute”,2. Project entitled “Setting up of National Facility on Interactive Graphysics Computer System (IGCS) for Biomolecular Modeling, Molecular Dynamics & Structures”

Desired Profile : Ph.D degree in Biological or Chemical Sciences with in-depth understanding of protein structure and dynamics for R.A. position.Those who have submitted thesis can be considered for Extended SRF position
Preferred : Knowledge of computer programming and bioinformatics softwares.
Stipend : For R.A- Rs. 22,000/- p.m., plus admissible H.R.A. and Medical benefit. For Extended SRF - Rs. 20,000/- p.m., plus admissible H.R.A.and Medical benefit.
Age : For R.A- Below 35 years; For Extended SRF - Below 33 years
Interested and eligible candidates should appear before the Selection Committee with atyped application addressed to the Sr.Prof. & In-Charge, Registrar's Office, Bose Institute, P- 1/12, CIT Scheme VII-M, Kankurgachi, Kolkata-700054 along with Bio-data giving details of qualification i.e. examination passed, year, division, percentage of marks from Secondary onwards with attested copies of Certificates, Mark-Sheet and testimonials. The candidates should also bring the original mark-sheets, certificates etc. at the time of Interview.

Walk in Interview : 04.03.15

More at http://www.boseinst.ernet.in/ADVT/14/p_34.pdf

Research Associate Biotechnology /JRF / Lab. Assistant recruitment in Indian Institute of Vegetable Research

Project:
Genomics assisted selection of Solanum chilense introgression lines for enhancing drought tolerance in tomato
Post Name : Research Associate
Qualification : Ph.D in Biotechnology/ Bioinformatics/Genetics & Plant Breeding. M. Tech in Computer Science with at least one research paper in science citation indexed journal. Desirable: Experience in bioinformatics and next generation sequence data handling. Familiarity in Linux, R, Perl/Phython or other programming languages. Willingness to travel to European partner centers.

Pay Scale : Rs. 36000 for 1st and 2nd year as per rules for Research Associate. Rs. 25000/- for 1st and 2nd year and Rs. 28000 as per rules for Junior Research Fellow. Rs. 7000/- for Lab. Assistant.

Age : Not more than 35 years for Men and 40 years for Women (Relaxable for SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates as per rules) for Research Associate/ Junior Research Fellow. Minimum age will be 21 years and maximum age will be 45 years (Relaxable for SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates as per rules) for Lab.Assistant.

More at http://iivr.org.in/Job%20Oppurtunities/RA20.03.2015.pdf

The position is open for immediate appointment and available for two years and then extendable for additional one year. The applicant will be appointed as Research Associate based on qualifications as detailed below:

Research Associate:

-Master’s degree with bioinformatics with at least 2 years of research experience in Next Generation sequencing data analysis as evidence from Fellowship/ Associateship / Training / other engagements.

-Familiarity with bioinformatics tools, database development, programming skills

-Minimum 1 publication in any peer reviewed journal

Salary will be as per ICAR rules and guidelines. Application will be shortlisted based on CV, reference letters from mentors and telephonic interview. Candidates will be called for a personal interview at Bangalore before appointment. No travel expense will be provided for attending interview at Bangalore.

Interested candidates may send a Letter of Interest and CV by email to: keshav@ibioinformatics.org before September 29, 2015.

Project Fellow Bioinformatics recruitment in Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) purely temporary

Name of the Project: "Genomics and Informatics Solutions for Integrating Biology(Genesis)".

No. of Vacancies: 1

Qualification required : M.Sc in Bioinformatics with 55% Marks.

Experience (Desirable): Candidate should be well versed with sequencing data analysis,assembly and annotation of whole genome sequence. Experience in transcriptional data analysis is also preferred.

Age Limit : 28 Years

Stipend : Rs.16000
How to apply
Interested candidates may appear for the walk-in-interview to be held on 28.09.2015 from 11.00 a.m. in the Red Carpet Room with the following documents self attested copy - (1) Matriculation Certificate in support of your date of birth, (2) Degree/Diploma Certificate, (3) Original reprints of all testimonials regarding educational qualification, (4) No Objection Certificate from the employer if employed, (5) Final Mark Sheet of M.Sc. Examination, (6) One Passport size photograph.

http://www.career.iicb.res.in/Recruitment%20Notice.php

LAST can:

• Handle big sequence data, e.g:
  • Compare two vertebrate genomes
  • Align billions of DNA reads to a genome
• Indicate the reliability of each aligned column.
• Use sequence quality data properly.
• Compare DNA to proteins, with frameshifts.
• Compare PSSMs to sequences
• Calculate the likelihood of chance similarities between random sequences.
• Do split and spliced alignment.
• Train alignment parameters for unusual kinds of sequence (e.g. nanopore).

Address of the bookmark: http://last.cbrc.jp/

More at http://faculty.iisertvm.ac.in/~nishantkt/index.html