Overview of SLiM and msprime

SLiM: Forward Genetic Simulator

SLiM is a free, open-source tool designed for forward genetic simulations. It allows researchers to model complex evolutionary scenarios, including selection, recombination, and demographic events, making it particularly useful for studying adaptation and selection in populations.

Key Features of SLiM:

• Simulates population evolution forward in time

• Supports custom evolutionary models using an embedded scripting language

• Allows modeling of spatial and ecological dynamics

• Provides high flexibility and extensibility for user-defined scenarios

• Available on GitHub as an open-source project

msprime: Ancestry and Mutation Simulator

msprime is an efficient, open-source tool that simulates ancestry and mutations using a coalescent framework. It is known for its high-speed performance and low memory requirements, making it a popular choice for large-scale genomic simulations.

Key Features of msprime:

• Implements coalescent simulations for ancestry modeling

• Efficiently simulates large population histories

• Supports the addition of mutations to genealogies

• Developed using an open-source community model

• Often faster and more memory-efficient than alternative simulators

Using SLiM and msprime with slendr

Both SLiM and msprime can be integrated with slendr, a framework that facilitates structured population genetic simulations. This integration allows for seamless comparison of simulation outputs.

How They Work Together:

• SLiM and msprime simulations can be analyzed within slendr.

• The ts_read() function in slendr enables loading and comparing tree sequence outputs from both simulators.

• This integration allows researchers to validate simulation results and gain deeper insights into evolutionary processes.

Performance Considerations

While SLiM offers powerful forward simulations with extensive customization, msprime is often preferred for its speed and memory efficiency when simulating ancestry and mutations. The choice between the two depends on the research goals:

• For detailed evolutionary modeling with selection and recombination: Use SLiM.

• For large-scale coalescent simulations with mutations: Use msprime.

• For comparing different simulation models and their outputs: Use slendr to integrate SLiM and msprime results.

Conclusion

SLiM and msprime are valuable tools for genome simulation, each serving distinct but complementary purposes in population genetics research. By leveraging the strengths of both simulators with slendr, researchers can conduct robust and efficient evolutionary simulations, enhancing our understanding of genetic diversity and adaptation.

For more information, check out the official GitHub repositories for SLiM and msprime, and explore the slendr framework for streamlined simulation workflow

Applications are invited for pre-selection of candidates for Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology INSPIRE Faculty Scheme: a component of “Assured Opportunity for Research Career (AORC)” under INSPIRE in the area of computational Biology/Systems Biology/Bioinformatics.

Candidates having done their B.Tech/B.E. and or M.Sc./M.Tech in Computer Science or Biotechnology and Ph.D. in Systems/ Computational Biology or Bioinformatics may apply in the following format prescribed by DST to the Director, Cluster Innovation Center, University Stadium, GC Narang Marg, University of Delhi, Delhi -11107. Detials of other qualification, age limits etc., please visit www.inspire-dst.gov.in.

Application on the prescribed format may be submitted by email to director@cic.du.ac.in before October 25, 2014. Selected candidates shall be called for an interview. The date, time and venue of the interview shall be informed by email/telephone. For more information about Cluster Innovation Center, please visit https://ducic.ac.in.

However, pangenome graphs can be highly complex, making them difficult to visualize and interpret. A recent study published in BMC Bioinformatics introduces PG2 (PanGenoGrapher), an open-source, web-based tool designed to address this challenge. The source code and user guide are openly available on GitHub at https://github.com/iVis-at-Bilkent/pangenographer. A publicly accessible sample deployment is hosted at http://pg2.cs.bilkent.edu.tr. In addition, a demonstration video illustrating the primary use cases of PG2 is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCd7-aGY6CQ.

PG2 combines advanced graph-layout algorithms with an interactive visualization platform. It allows researchers to explore genomic paths, identify variations, and examine relationships between different parts of a pangenome graph more easily.

This is important because visualization can play a major role in bioinformatics. When complex genomic information is presented clearly, researchers can more easily identify patterns, understand genetic variation, and generate new biological insights.

The development of PG2 represents a step toward making pangenome analysis more accessible and intuitive. As genomic datasets continue to grow and graph-based representations become more common, tools like PG2 can help researchers navigate this increasing complexity.

Ultimately, PG2 demonstrates how combining genomics, graph algorithms, and interactive visualization can make sophisticated biological data easier to understand and analyze.

Reference: Solun, G. K., Dogrusoz, U., Bingöl, Z., & Alkan, C. (2026). PG2: algorithms and a web-based tool for effective layout and visual analysis of pangenome graphs. BMC Bioinformatics. DOI: 10.1186/s12859-026-06555-4.

These notebooks are normal files that can be shared with colleagues, converted to other formats such as HTML or PDF, etc. You can share any publicly available notebook by using the IPython Notebook Viewer service which will render it as a static web page. This makes it easy to give your colleagues a document they can read immediately without having to install anything.

To learn more about using the IPython Notebook, you can visit our example collection, and you can read the documentation for all the details on how to use and configure the system. The Notebook Gallery showcases many interesting notebooks covering a variety of topics, from basic programming to advanced scientific computing.

More http://www.nature.com/news/interactive-notebooks-sharing-the-code-1.16261

http://ipython.org/ipython-doc/1/interactive/notebook.html

Reference http://ipython.org/notebook.html

Scientists face a big challenge with the human genome. They can read its letters, but understanding their roles is much harder. Only about 2 percent of the genome codes for proteins. The rest acts like a huge control panel, deciding when and where genes turn on. With about 9 billion possible single-letter changes, testing them all in a lab just isn’t possible.

So, Google DeepMind asked a new question: what if we could predict what those changes might do?

This question led to the AlphaGenome Atlas (https://deepmind.google.com/science/alphagenome/atlas?), a detailed map of nearly every possible single-letter change in the human genome. Instead of checking each change one by one, researchers can use the Atlas to spot the ones most likely to matter. The AlphaGenome Variant Impact (AVI) score works like a trail marker, pointing scientists toward the changes worth a closer look.

This is where the Atlas gets especially useful. Much of the genome lies outside the protein-coding regions, where DNA acts as a switch or controller for genes. AlphaGenome lets researchers explore these areas and see how small changes could affect gene activity.

An atlas isn't the destination; it's a guide.

The AlphaGenome Atlas doesn’t replace experiments or solve every mystery. Instead, it helps scientists decide where to begin. From billions of possibilities, it turns the vast genetic landscape into something researchers can start to explore.

There are nine billion possibilities, a vast map, and maybe among them therWith nine billion possibilities and a huge map to explore, there may be clues hidden here to some of medicine’s toughest mysteries.

More at https://storage.googleapis.com/deepmind-media/DeepMind.com/Blog/alphagenome-atlas-a-predictive-map-of-every-possible-dna-letter-change-in-the-human-genome/alphagenome-atlas.pdf

Address of the bookmark: https://www.biostat.wisc.edu/~cdewey/mercator/

Email: admin@niab.org.in Telephones: +91 40 2304 9403 Telefax: +91 40 2304 2740
Advertisement No: 5/2014

About NIAB National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad, an autonomous institute under the aegis of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, is aimed to harness novel and emerging biotechnologies and create knowledge in the cutting edge areas for improving animal health and productivity.

Applications are invited for the following temporary research positions to work in ongoing DBTBBSRC sponsored research project entitled “Transcriptome Analysis in Indian buffalo and the Genetics of Innate Immunity” at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad.

(A) Project Scientist – Level B (One Position)

Emoluments: Rs. 15600 + GP Rs. 5400 + 30 % HRA p.m. (Total emoluments will be Rs. 49,770/-p.m. for the duration of the project)

Essential Qualification: Candidates having M.V.Sc. in Veterinary Microbiology / Veterinary Pathology / Veterinary Public Health / Ph.D. degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or any other related field from the recognized university are eligible to apply.

The candidate should have a good academic record and research experience as evidenced from published in standard referred journals / patents.

Desirable: Candidates having research experience in the area of tissue culture, genomics, Transcriptomics and Advanced Molecular Biology will be given preference.

Age Limit: Not exceeding 30 years as on last date of the submission of the application.

(B) Research Associate in Bioinformatics (One position)

Fellowship: Rs. 22,000 + 30 % HRA

Essential Qualification: Candidates having Ph.D. degree or M.Tech. with three years of
experience in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences or any other related field are eligible to apply.

Desirable: Candidate having research experience in the area of next generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis, Genome wide association studies, Genomic selection, advance genomic data analysis etc., will be given preference. The candidate should have a good academic record and research experience as evidenced from published papers in standard journals / patents.

Age Limit: Not exceeding 30 years as on last date of the submission of the application.

Project Duration: The duration of the project is Three years and the positions are co- terminus with the duration of the project. (Initial appointment will be for one year and further extension will be granted based on annual review).

Mode of submission of application: Only online applications are to be submitted through
www.niab.org.in on or before 08 December, 2014. Link for online submission of applications will be available from 10 November 2014.

Advertisement: www.niab.org.in/Notifications/Advt_5_2014/Advt_5_2014.pdf

Applications are invited along with complete bio-data and attested copies of certificates of qualifications, experience etc. for the one post of Research Fellow and one post of Program Assistant under PURSE Grant of the University in Centre for Systems Biology & Bioinformatics, UIEAST, Panjab University, Chandigarh which is tenable till the period of
the project.

Essential Qualification

For Research Fellow:-

M.Sc. in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics / Life Sciences with minimum 55% marks.

Preference will be given to NET/GATE/ICMR qualified candidates without fellowship however, candidates who have cleared the Panjab University Ph.D. entrance test in Systems Biology & Bioinformatics will also be eligible.

For Program Assistant:-

The candidate must have M.Sc./M.Tech/MCA/PGDCA in Computer Science and must be able to handle LAN, Linex. Preference will be given to the candidate having experience in
System Administration.

Emoluments

For Research Fellow Rs. 12,500/- per month (Fixed)
For Program Assistant Rs. 12,500/- per month (Fixed)

Applications should be reach on or before 19-11-2014 in the office of the undersigned.

Interview will be held on 21-11-2014 in the office of the Coordinator, Centre for Systems Biology & Bioinformatics, South Campus, Block-3, Sector-25, Panjab University, Chandigarh. No TA/DA will be paid.

Advertisement:

http://jobs.puchd.ac.in/includes/jobs/2014/20141110143634-Advertisement.pdf

Reference Number IIT/SRIC/R/DIC/2014/314, DATED 28thNovember, 2014

Temporary Position(s)

i) Junior/ Senior Project Officer (1)
ii) Junior Project Assistant (2)

Consolidated Compensation

i) Rs.16,000/- to Rs.18,000/- p.m. (depending on qualification & experience)
ii) Rs.8,000/- to Rs.10,000/- p.m. (depending on qualification & experience)

Coordinator / PI Dr. Sudip K. Ghosh, Dept of Biotechnology.

Department / Centre / School Dept of Biotechnology

Qualifications & Experience

(i) M. Sc in any branch of Life Sciences with experience in Molecular Biology/Genetics/Biochemistry preferably a Post Graduate diploma in Bioinformatics or two years working experience in bioinformatics (Minimum 60% marks starting from matriculation examination).

(ii) B. Sc. /B.A. /B. Com/Diploma in Management or Computer Science. Knowledge in computer software will be preferred (minimum 50% marks starting from matriculation examination).

More Information

Interested eligible persons may apply on plain paper, giving full bio-data along with attested copies of testimonials to the undersigned on or before 11thDecember, 2014.

Sponsor DBT, NEW DELHI

Last Date 11 Dec 2014

Application Fee Demand Draft for Rs.50/- (Not for female candidates) drawn in favour of IIT Kharagpur payable at Kharagpur

Advertisement: www.iitkgp.ac.in/topfiles/sric_job_details.php?serial=2826