Rationale
This course focuses on the subset of bioinformatics concerned with genome analysis. For this topic to be of more general interest than working out a crossword puzzle, it is necessary to connect the sequences of genomes to the workings of whole organisms.
Readings, Tours, and Investigations
Notes: Strategies of Life
Notes: Protein
Notes: Flow of Information
Notes: Gene Regulation and Bacteriophage
Investigation: What is a Gene?
Investigation:
Alien Genetic Code
Reading and Tour:
Peter Lynge Madsen, Annette H Johansen, Karin Hammer, and Lone Brondsted
Journal of Bacteriology (1999) 181:7430-7438
The genetic switch regulating activity of early promoters of the temperate lactococcal bacteriophage TP901-1
Tour
Problem Set
Problem Set 1: Intro to Molecular Biology
(The tour
The Discovery of RNA may be helpful background for one of the questions)
Problem Set 2: Molecular Investigations
To Hand In
28 Jan, end of day*: Responses to questions from What is a Gene?
4 Feb, end of day*: Problem Set 1 (whatever portion you like)
11 Feb, end of day*: Problem Set 2
* (however you care to define it, within reason)