This 2014 HUGO Meeting in Geneva will be a Forum for discussions on innovative approaches, and proposals to tackle the anticipated challenges.

Time : 27 April 2014 - 30 April 2014

For enquiries, please email hugo2014@mci-group.com or visit www.hugo-international.org

More at http://www.hgm2014-geneva.org/

Address of the bookmark: https://astrobiomike.github.io/

http://www.uib.no/rs/mcb

https://www.mbl.edu/research/research-organisms/rotifer
https://gribblebiolab.org/

---how genetic variation is distributed within and between individuals,
---determining how this diversity changes over evolutionary time.

Hence, Cox group work at the interface between biology, statistics and computer science to address questions of outstanding biological importance through intrepretation of large genetic datasets.

Profile:
Associate Professor Murray Cox,
Inaugural Rutherford Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Principal Investigator in the BioProtection Research Center and Associate Investigator in the Allan Wilson Center for Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Email : m.p.cox@massey.ac.nz
Webpage: http://massey.genomicus.com/index.html

https://evirusbioinfc.notion.site/18e21bc49827484b8a2f84463cb40b8d?v=92e7eb6703be4720abf17a901bc9a947

Address of the bookmark: https://evirusbioinfc.notion.site/18e21bc49827484b8a2f84463cb40b8d?v=92e7eb6703be4720abf17a901bc9a947

Salary: Rs. 10,000/- per month.

Age limit: 35 for men and 40 for women & SC/ST.

Qualification: First class in M. Sc (Agriculture)/MCA/M.Sc (IT)/ M. Sc (Computer Application)/M.Sc (Bioinformatics)/M.Sc (Geoinformatics).

Desirable: Two years experience in web design and web programming.

Date & time of interview: 08.10.2013, 10 am

Interested candidates may appear for an interview at this institute along with their application in plain paper containing the following particulars viz. (1) Name (2) Father/Husband/Guardian’s Name (3) date of birth & age as on 01.10.2013 (4) Permanent address (5) Address for communication (6) Email address and Telephone No. with code (7) Qualification (8) National fellowship like ICAR/CSIR/UGC etc. if any (9) Whether SC/ST/OBC (10) Details of experience (Attested copies of degree certificate, proof of age, mark sheets). Original certificates should be produced for verification.

No TA/DA will be admissible to the candidates attending the test. The selected candidate will have to join immediately.

Advertisement: http://www.ctcri.org/careers/mithra_SRF.doc

The job description: "This research position focuses on the science
of bacterial evolution. It will consist of researching theoretical
principles, but could include translational applications. Phylogenomic
and bioinformatic analysis of bacterial populations in nature or
in laboratory experiments will be a key component of the work. Prior
experience is an asset though training will be possible at PMI.
Likewise, laboratory microbiological, molecular, and biochemical
skills are an asset though not essential. Communication and critical
thinking skills are essential for performing the work and for
communicating to the local and international scientific communities.
Participating in team or independent grant writing to obtain research
funding will be required. Student mentoring is a part of the NAU
mission and is a partial expectation."

https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=608024&PostingSeq=1

Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, a
beautiful mountain town with a surprisingly vibrant restaurant
scene. Located a little over an hour from the Grand Canyon and ~45
min from Sedona, Flagstaff is a hiker's paradise. In fact, the city
of Flagstaff operates more than 50 miles of unpaved trails and there
are, on average, 266 sunny days per year with which to enjoy them.
At 7000 ft in elevation, Flagstaff experiences all four seasons,
but thesummers are mild and, in the winter, you can be on the ski
slopes within 30 min! https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/

As mentioned, joint projects with Professor Sheppard at Oxford
University are possible, including travel to his laboratory in the
United Kingdom. https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/people/samuel-sheppard

Contact Information:
Paul.Keim@nau.edu

Paul S. Keim, Ph.D.
Regents Professor, &
Cowden Endowed Chair of Microbiology
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4073

Paul S Keim

A research fellowship is available at the BioComputing Laboratory, University of Padova (URL: http://protein.bio.unipd.it/). A highly motivated and creative candidate is sought to work on structural bioinformatics. Specifically, the project entails the development of novel methods, tools and databases for the analysis of protein structures. The BioComputing Laboratory is a group of a dozen people working on several aspects of prediction of protein structure & function employing techniques at the intersection between biology, medicine, chemistry, physics & computer science. Our aim is to integrate the development of novel methods and their application to biologically relevant problems. We are looking for candidates with a solid Bioinformatics background, programming experience (Python, Perl, C++ and/or Java) and good knowledge of molecular biology (protein structure/function, signalling pathways). Candidates should have a degree with top marks, optionally hold a PhD, and be highly motivated to work on interdisciplinary research. Good knowledge of English, an open-minded spirit, being collaborative and creative are crucial. The fellowship, which should start in late 2013, is initially for one year. It will be commensurate to experience, can be extended depending on performance and may lead to a PhD degree. The successful candidate will be located at the BioComputing Laboratory, University of Padova. Travel support for conferences and/or research visits abroad may be provided. To apply, please send your CV, a brief description of your research background and the names of two (or more) references to Prof. Silvio Tosatto (Email: silvio.tosatto@unipd.it).

Contact Person (Referent): Silvio Tosatto
Ref. E-Mail: silvio.tosatto@unipd.it
Tel: +39 049 827 6269
Fax: +39 049 827 6260
Group Web Page: http://protein.bio.unipd.it/

What is Bacterial Comparative Genomics?

Comparative genomics involves the systematic comparison of genomes across different bacterial species or strains. This approach allows scientists to:

• Identify conserved and unique genes.

• Explore genetic determinants of pathogenicity.

• Understand bacterial evolution and phylogenetics.

• Investigate horizontal gene transfer and its role in antibiotic resistance.

Bioinformatics is central to these analyses, enabling the processing and interpretation of large-scale genomic data.

Key Steps in Bacterial Comparative Genomics

1. Genome Sequencing and Assembly: The process begins with obtaining high-quality bacterial genome sequences. Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have made it faster and more affordable to sequence bacterial genomes. Tools such as SPAdes and Velvet are commonly used for genome assembly.

2. Genome Annotation: Annotating a genome involves identifying genes, regulatory elements, and other genomic features. Automated tools like Prokka and RAST provide functional annotations, allowing researchers to predict the roles of genes and proteins.

3. Genome Alignment: Aligning genomes is crucial for identifying conserved regions, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and structural variations. Tools like Mauve and progressiveMauve are commonly employed for whole-genome alignments.

4. Comparative Analyses:

   • Core and Pan-genome Analysis: The core genome consists of genes shared across all strains of a species, while the pan-genome includes all genes found in any strain. Software like Roary and BPGA can perform core and pan-genome analyses.

   • Phylogenetic Analysis: Comparative genomics often involves reconstructing evolutionary relationships. Tools such as MEGA and IQ-TREE facilitate phylogenetic tree construction based on genomic data.

   • Functional Enrichment Analysis: To understand the biological significance of unique or shared genes, functional enrichment analysis using databases like GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG is essential.

Here are some additional bioinformatics tools that can aid bacterial comparative genomics:

• OrthoFinder: For accurate ortholog identification across multiple genomes.

• PanOCT: Specifically designed for pan-genome clustering and annotation.

• FASTANI: A tool for calculating Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) for microbial genome comparisons.

• CIRCOS: For visually comparing genomic data through circular genome plots.

• Galaxy Platform: A user-friendly web-based platform offering numerous genomic analysis tools.

• BLAST: Essential for sequence alignment and similarity searches.

• PhyloSift: Focused on phylogenetic analysis of microbial genomes using marker genes.

These tools, in combination with the methods discussed, provide a robust framework for conducting comprehensive comparative genomic studies.

Applications of Bacterial Comparative Genomics

1. Understanding Pathogenicity: Comparative genomics helps identify virulence factors that distinguish pathogenic strains from non-pathogenic relatives. For instance, comparing genomes of Escherichia coli strains has revealed key genetic determinants of pathogenicity in enterohemorrhagic strains.

2. Antibiotic Resistance Research: The spread of antibiotic resistance genes through horizontal gene transfer is a major global concern. Comparative analyses can trace the origins and dissemination of resistance genes, aiding in the development of countermeasures.

3. Microbial Ecology and Evolution: By studying genomic variations, researchers can understand how bacteria adapt to different environments. This is particularly relevant for extremophiles and symbiotic bacteria.

4. Vaccine Development: Identifying conserved antigens across pathogenic strains is critical for vaccine design. Comparative genomics has been instrumental in developing vaccines against pathogens like Neisseria meningitidis.

5. Biotechnology Applications: Comparative studies can uncover unique metabolic pathways in bacteria, paving the way for applications in bioremediation, synthetic biology, and industrial microbiology.

Challenges in Bacterial Comparative Genomics

While the field has made significant strides, several challenges remain:

• Data Overload: The rapid growth of sequencing data requires robust computational infrastructure and efficient algorithms.

• Genome Plasticity: High rates of horizontal gene transfer and genome rearrangements in bacteria complicate comparative analyses.

• Annotation Accuracy: Automated annotation tools are not infallible, and manual curation is often needed for high-confidence results.

• Interpreting Non-Coding Regions: Understanding the functional significance of non-coding genomic regions remains a challenge.

Future Directions

The integration of bacterial comparative genomics with other ‘omics’ approaches—such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—promises a more comprehensive understanding of bacterial biology. Additionally, advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence are likely to further enhance bioinformatics analyses, enabling the prediction of complex phenotypes from genomic data.

Conclusion

Bacterial comparative genomics, driven by bioinformatics, continues to unravel the complexities of bacterial life. From combating antibiotic resistance to uncovering the secrets of microbial evolution, this interdisciplinary field holds immense potential for addressing pressing challenges in microbiology and beyond. As technology advances, so too will our ability to harness the power of comparative genomics for scientific and societal benefit.