Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics

From the Foreword:

"For the biologists, we have an invaluable guide to the application of non-trivial tools to non-trivial biological problems . . . . For the computational/informatics community, we have . . . a critical introduction to the serious biological motivations for bioinformatics, and a resource for evaluating opportunities and progress in the field."
?Russ B. Altman, Stanford University

Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics provides an important integrative approach to understanding both the theory and practice of the emerging field of bioinformatics. Broadly encompassing the field of bioinformatics, from sequence analysis, gene expression, microarrays, and proteomics to molecular phylogenetics and whole genome studies, this groundbreaking text shows how bioinformatics applies to biological questions at different levels, such as gene/protein, disease, and protein structures.

Combining theoretical context with practical application, the author emphasizes practical skills, such as how to analyze genes and proteins, how to make trees using phylogenetic software, how to extract data, and how to identify genes and proteins implicated in disease. In addition, the text provides:

• A systematic three-part format, beginning with the analysis of biological sequence data, continuing with functional genomics (from microarrays to proteomics), and ending with coverage of genomes throughout the tree of life. The subject of the human genome concludes with the latest advances in bioinformatics approaches to human disease
• Chapter-by-chapter problem sets, Web exercises, and Web links, as well as references to freely available software and annotated lists of recommended reading
• Consistent use of an example of a gene and its protein product, retinal-binding protein (RBP)
• Highlighted references to related studies, such as those involving breast cancer and HIV-1
• Clear discussion of the positive and negative ramifications of the approaches covered

Although the text emphasizes the use of computational tools and databases, the author assumes no computational background, making this text an ideal reference for students at every level of study.