Course aim
The course aims to provide a basic understanding of bioinformatics and will include practical sessions to demonstrate what can be done with the technologies available. Although the course will use protein sequences as examples, many of the methods can be used directly on nucleotide sequences. Participants are also welcome to consider how aspects of their own research may be explored within the practical sessions.

Please note
This course focuses primarily on protein bioinformatics. DNA bioinformatics is not explicitly covered (see the course entitled "Bioinformatics" for this)

Course format
Short lectures explaining the theory followed by computer-based exercises.

Course content

1. Introduction to sequence analysis and searching
What is bioinformatics and why is it useful
Sequence alignment and searching for homologues etc
Applications and case studies
Practical: Psi-Blast and Blast

2. Alignments and structure prediction tools
Alignment methodologies, limitations, problems
TM and secondary structure prediction
Full structure prediction - current status
Practical: predicting structure

3. Structural bioinformatics - homology modelling
Visualisation of biomolecules - free software etc
Structural alignments
Homology modelling using either modeller or Swiss-model online
Case study: modelling the Herg potassium channel

Course length
This course consists of three 2-hour sessions - Monday 29th October, Wednesday 31st October and Friday 2nd November. 09:00 - 11:00 on all days.

Participant numbers
Maximum 35