Undergraduate RMI-SCB240-2023

Bioinformatics

Put the theory behind bioinformatics under the microscope. Step inside database and information systems and see how they’re organised. Identify biological proteins and analyse their structures. Manipulate DNA sequences and study molecular modelling.

Duration

13 weeks

Study method

100% Online

Available loans

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Assessments

Subjects may require attendance

Prior study

Not required

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2023

Subject details

What you'll learn

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

understand the theoretical basis behind bioinformatics
search databases accessible on the WWW for literature relating to molecular biology and biotechnology
retrieve information from databases using text and sequence searching
manipulate DNA and protein sequences
construct and interpret evolutionary trees
analyse protein sequences, identify proteins, and retrieve protein structures from databases. View and interpret these structures. Understand homology modelling.

Topics covered

- Descriptions of genetic and biological databases
- Introduction to proteomics

Entry requirements

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

RMI-SCB320 (Not currently available)

Others

A basic knowledge of molecular biology/ genetics.

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Description

Please note: This subject was previously coded SCB320.

Bioinformatics is the computational management and use of biological information to solve biological problems. This unit will cover several aspects of this rapidly evolving field. Topics will include descriptions of genetic and biological databases and relevant tools available to retrieve and analyse the information within these. Sequence alignment will be covered in some detail. An introduction to proteomics will be given, including protein identification, molecular modelling and methods to determine protein structure. This subject is designed to enable students to evaluate biological data using bioinformatics techniques, and to become adept at performing such analyses.

Assessments

Project Report 1 (30%)
Analysis Task (30%)
Invigilated Exam (40%)

Textbooks

For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).