Fundamental concepts of bioinformatics

"Fundamental Concepts of Bioinformatics is the first textbook co-authored by a biologist and computer scientist that is specifically designed to make bioinformatics accessible to undergraduates and prepare them for more advanced work. Students learn what programs are available for analyzing data, how to understand the basic algorithms that underlie these programs, what bioinformatic research is like, and other basic concepts. Information flows easily from one topic to the next, with enough detail to support the major concepts without overwhelming students."--BOOK JACKET. Read more... 1. Molecular Biology and Biological Chemistry. The Genetic Material. Gene Structure and Information Content. Protein Structure and Function. The Nature of Chemical Bonds. Molecular Biology Tools. Genomic Information Content -- 2. Data Searches and Pairwise Alignments. Dot Plots. Simple Alignments. Gaps. Scoring Matrices. Dynamic Programming: The Needleman and Wunsch Algorithm. Global and Local Alignments. Database Searches. Multiple Sequence Alignments -- 3. Substitution Patterns. Patterns of Substitutions within Genes. Estimating Substitution Numbers. Variations in Evolutionary Rates between Genes. Molecular Clocks. Evolution in Organelles -- 4. Distance-Based Methods of Phylogenetics. History of Molecular Phylogenetics

Fundamental Concepts of Bioinformatics is the first book co-authored by a biologist and computer scientist that is specifically designed to make bioinformatics accessible and provide readers for more advanced work. Readers learn what programs are available for analyzing data, how to understand the basic algorithms that underlie these programs, what bioinformatic research is like, and other basic concepts. Information flows easily from one topic to the next, with enough detail to support the major concepts without overwhelming readers. Problems at the end of each chapter use real data to help readers apply what they have learned so they know how to critically evaluate results from both a statistical and biological point of view.