Applied Bioinformatics - Basics to Network Biology

Applied Bioinformatics - Basics to Network Biology is an interdisciplinary field that integrates computational tools and biological knowledge to understand complex biological systems. It begins with basic bioinformatics, which covers fundamental topics such as sequence alignment, gene annotation, molecular evolution, and database mining. These foundational skills enable the analysis of DNA, RNA, and protein sequences for functional and structural insights.

A significant aspect of applied bioinformatics is protein structure prediction, which uses computational models to determine the 3D conformation of proteins, critical for understanding molecular function and drug-target interactions. Techniques like homology modeling, threading, and ab initio predictions are commonly employed here. As research progresses into systems-level understanding, network biology becomes essential.

This involves the construction and analysis of biological networks, such as protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, gene regulatory networks, and metabolic pathways. These networks help in identifying key regulatory molecules, potential drug targets, and emergent biological properties. A pivotal tool in modeling and simulating such networks is SBML (Systems Biology Markup Language), a standardized XML-based language that allows for the exchange and analysis of computational models in systems biology.

Together, these areas form a comprehensive framework for understanding biology from molecules to networks, facilitating innovations in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biotechnology.