Bioinformatics

The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the field of Bioinformatics, providing the students with knowledge about the basic biological principles, of the main problems in the area and the main algorithmic approaches tho their solution.

The internal modules that make this curricular unit give the guarantee that the student will have skills in the application and development of the main technologies and algorithms in Bioinformatics, being capable to apply them and analyze their results. Some modules will be devoted to statistical methods and methods for knowledge extraction from complex biological databases.

The unit will have a strong practical emphasis, promoting the development and implementation of algorithms to tackle tbe main problems of Bioinformatics, as well as the use and evaluation of available software applications. An integrative project of the different subjects will be developed by the students.

Scientific Coordination

• Miguel Rocha / Rui Mendes (Dep. Informatics)
• Eugénio Ferreira / Isabel Rocha (Dep. Biological Eng.)
• Margarida Casal (Dep. Biology)
• Pedro Oliveira (Dep. Prod. and Systems)

Learning outcomes

• Identify the main problems in Bioinformatics and select the most appropriate algorithms and computational techniques, through the search, use, classification and evaluation of available software in the areas of Bioinformatics and Data Mining.
• Analyze the results and biological meaning of the outcome of Bioinformatics tools
• Know, design and implement the main algorithms in the fiels of Bioinformatics and Data Mining
• Identify, define and describe the function and structure of the main biomolecules, metabolic pathways and intra-cellular processes.
• Identify and describe the main mechanisms of microbial growth and transfer of mass and heat in bioreactors, as well as the basic principles and methods in Metabolic Engineering.
• Propose and test statistical hypothesis using the most appropriate methods in the context of the analysis of biological data.

Internal modules:

• Bioinformatics algorithms and technologies
• Molecular and cellular biology
• Biochemical engineering
• Statistical methods for Bioinformatics
• Knowledge Discovery in Biological Databases
• Integrative Project

Partners:

• Departments of Biological Engineering, Biology, Production and systems