PRINCIPLES OF BIOINFORMATICS
Stampa
Enrollment year
2019/2020
Academic year
2021/2022
Regulations
DM270
Academic discipline
BIO/11 (MOLECULAR BIOLOGY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY "LAZZARO SPALLANZANI"
Course
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Year of study
Period
2nd semester (01/03/2022 - 14/06/2022)
ECTS
6
Lesson hours
48 lesson hours
Language
Italian
Activity type
ORAL TEST
Teacher
LESCAI FRANCESCO (titolare) - 6 ECTS
Prerequisites

The student will be assumed to have basic knowledge of molecular biology and genetics (structure and function of a gene, transcripts, DNA, RNA, transcription and translation processes). Knowledge of biochemistry and cellular biology are not essential but recommended.
Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- identify the most appropriate source, to retrieve biological information about whole organisms, genes or proteins and their functions
- apply web-based bioinformatic tools and databases to execute searches and analyses
- evaluate and compare the collected information in order to reach a conclusion about biological functions or inform experimental decisions
- solve a biological question and communicate bioinformatics results in an integrated and coherent way
Course contents

The course will provide commanding knowledge of widely known tools, which students will be able to use in any career path they would like to pursue in the future.
In particular, we will deal with the following topics:
- genome browsers and biological databases
- genome annotation
- prediction of biological effect of mutations
- retrieval of genome sequences from public databases
- data generation and analysis of next generation sequencing information
- retrieval of NGS data from public databases
- sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis
- BLAST and sequence similarity searches
- proteins and structure analysis
- expression atlases
- clinical relevance of mutations and rare variants
- basics of biopython to speed-up bioinformatics analyses
Teaching methods

The course will significantly use “blended learning” tools, which assume that one-way information transfer is limited during classes activity. Students will be instead expected to use the Kiro platform for readings and self-evaluation activities.
Class activity will be focused to demonstrations, discussions and problem solving through interaction: demo, group work, quiz and real-time feedback.
Reccomended or required readings

The course will mostly use freely available material, video and tutorials.
The use of a textbook will be discussed with the students during classes.
Assessment methods

The exam will take place in a single session, where the students:
- will be assigned a biological question (nature, function or characteristics of a gene, protein or genome)
- will be asked to retrieve the information necessary to solve/answer the question, using the tools learnt during classes
- will be asked to explain choices made to retrieve the information and illustrate their interpretation of the findings in order to answer the initial question.
Further information
The Teacher will be available via email and for meetings to be agreed on, as well as through collaborative tools: a dedicated channel will be setup on Slack, for interacting with students and discussing different topics.
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030