Short course on
Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics
S. DasSarma, Summer 2012
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Course summary: With the advent of genomics and bioinformatics in the late
20th century, biologists have no longer needed to be reductionists, and may
study biological systems from holistic and integrative perspectives. This 6 week
course begins with a retrospective on the technological developments leading to
the genomics revolution. The course then explores a novel group of
microorganisms, salt-loving halophilic Archaea, or Haloarchaea, as models for
how genomic and bioinformatic studies are leading to new knowledge and
paradigm shifts in gene and genome function. Sequencing and annotation,
comparative genomics, functional genomics, and translational research
approaches are explored, as is the potential for advancing current and future
applications in biotechnology.
Instructor: Prof. Shiladitya DasSarma, Department of Microbiology and
Immunology, and Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University
of Maryland, Baltimore MD, USA. Email: sdassarma@som.umaryland.edu
Lecture topics:
Date
June 29
July 6
July 13
July 20
July 27
Aug 3
Time
11 am
– noon
11 am
– noon
11 am
– noon
11 am
– noon
11 am
– noon
11 am noon
Title
From genes to genomes: Historical development of
genomics and bioinformatics
Sequencing, annotation, and the power of comparative
genomics: Revealing the genome’s core and signature
A functional genomics approach: Transcriptional responses
and reactions to environmental perturbations
Functional genomic analysis of DNA replication, repair, and
recombination and Computer databases
Genome structure and dynamics: Biology and evolution of
a large plasmid
Metagenomic and translational research: Archaea and
human diseases