H. Otu; Progress of Challenges in Bioinformatics: From Sequence...

 Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
FENS SEMINARS

Progress of Challenges in Bioinformatics: From Sequence to Function to Networks

Hasan Otu

In the post-genomic era, the availability of whole genome sequences gave rise to high throughput systems like gene chips, protein arrays, and genotyping tools. This rendered DNA sequence characterization and Functional Genomics as two seemingly distinct but inherently intertwined areas in Bioinformatics. We have developed algorithmic approaches rooted in Information Theory to characterize and use structure and complexity in DNA sequences. I will present the application of these techniques in two patent pending algorithms: DNA sequence assembly and inference of evolutionary relations. On the functional genomics end, I will present methods and issues in high throughput systems with sample studies in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology and elaborate on the research portal and two stand-alone tools we have developed to store, visualize, analyze, and export various types of biological data. Finally, I will give pointers for future research that would enable analysis of high throughput biological data in the context of networks.

March 24, 2006, 13:40, FENS G035