Computational genome analysis: An Introduction [Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., Secaucus, NJ, 2005]
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CONTRIBUTORS:
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JOURNAL:
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Computing Reviews; http://www.reviews.com,
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YEAR:
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2006
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PUB TYPE:
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Book Review
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SUBJECT(S):
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Biology; Genetics; UNIX language; R Language; S-PLUS software; computational biology; probability statistics
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DISCIPLINE:
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Computer Science
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HTTP:
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http:// Online 6 July 2006; http://www.reviews.com
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LANGUAGE:
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English
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PUB ID:
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103-427-953
(Last edited on
2006/07/06 20:04:12 GMT-6)
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ABSTRACT:
This textbook was based on the authors' instructional experiences in undergraduate Computational Biology courses for Bachelor seniors, first-year Master's, and Ph.D. students at the University of Southern California. Readers could also include investigators in medical schools, computer scientists, biologists, applied mathematicians, biochemists, and persons working in the biotechnology industry.
This text is based on the classic man-machine-work model in which a human performs laboratory-level work while also interacting with a digital computer. The complete inventory of all DNA that determines the identity of an organism is known as the genome. The computer or 'machine' utilizes the R language and produces statistical solutions dealing with genomes. The objects analyzed fall into these categories: the basic unit of life or the cell; the chemical energy stored in ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), the genetic information encoded by DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) , and that information transcribed into RNA (Ribonucleic Acid). Since all life on the planet is based on cells, except for viruses, one can see why this volume is an important contribution to the scientific knowledge base particularly with reference to the evolution of species.
The R language developed at Bell Laboratories is used throughout the text. R is a probability statistics environment available for free download and can be used with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux operating systems. It functions very much like the S-PLUS statistics package. Since the reader would need to know how to actually implement the concepts in computational biology to fully understand them, the authors include examples of computations using R. This volume is described as a "roll up your sleeves and get dirty" introduction to the computational side of genomics and bioinformatics. It is intended to provide a foundation for an intelligent application of the available computational tools and for intellectual growth as new experimental approaches lead to new computational tools.
One must accept the fact that analyzing cells, DNA, and RNA is based on probability statistics. The text utilizes 1% algebra, 1 % integral calculus and 98% probability statistics --- the 98% being processed in R language. It isn't intended to describe the laboratory processes and protocols used to manipulate the samples but it does directly connect the computer solutions to the laboratory or work activity. Each chapter ends with a number of problems; while this is typical of the classical textbook, it would have been helpful if a teacher's answer book had been appended.
The Chapter headings are: Biology in a Nutshell; Words, Word Distributions and Occurences; Physical Mapping of DNA; Genome Rearrangements; Sequence Alignment; Rapid Alignment Methods: FASTA and BLAST; DNA Sequence Assembly; Signals in DNA; Similarity, Distance, and Clustering; Measuring Expression of Genome Information; Inferring the Past: Phylogenetic Trees; Genetic Variation in Populations; Comparative Geonomics; Glossary; A Brief Introduction to R; Internet Bioinformatics Resources; Miscellaneous Data.
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