Essential Bioinformatics is a concise yet comprehensive textbook of bioinformatics, which provides a broad introduction
to the entire field. Written specifically for a life science audience, the basics of bioinformatics are explained,
followed by discussions of the state-of-the-art computational tools available to solve biological research problems.
All key areas of bioinformatics are covered including biological databases, sequence alignment, genes and promoter
prediction, molecular phylogenetics, structural bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics. The book emphasizes how
computational methods work and compares the strengths and weaknesses of different methods. This balanced yet easily
accessible text will be invaluable to students who do not have sophisticated computational backgrounds. Technical
details of computational algorithms are explained with a minimum use of mathematical formulae; graphical illustrations
are used in their place to aid understanding. The effective synthesis of existing literature as well as in-depth
and up-to-date coverage of all key topics in bioinformatics make this an ideal textbook for all bioinformatics
courses taken by life science students and for researchers wishing to develop their knowledge of bioinformatics
to facilitate their own research.
Concise yet comprehensive and written specifically for life scientists and those without a sophisticated computational
background
Provides annotated guides to the most frequently used internet tools for each topic and discusses the advantages
of different methods
Includes 6 step-by-step protocols for internet-based exercises to aid student's problem-solving skills using
freely available bioinformatics tools
Glossary provides clear definitions and easy understanding of key bioinformatics concepts and tools
Table of Contents
Preface Part I. Introduction and Biological Databases
1. Introduction
2. Introduction to biological databases
Part II. Sequence Alignment
3. Pairwise sequence alignment
4. Database similarity search
5. Multiple sequence alignment
6. Profiles and hidden Markov models
7. Protein motifs and patterns
Part III. Gene and Promoter Prediction
8. Gene prediction
9. Promoter and regulatory element prediction
Part IV. Molecular Phylogenetics
10. Phylogenetics basics
11. Phylogenetic tree construction methods and programs
Part V. Protein Structure Basics
13. Protein structure visualization, comparison and classification
14. Protein secondary structure prediction
15. Protein tertiary structure prediction
16. RNA structure prediction
