Bioinformatics exercises teach students to manage and analyze vast amounts of biological data, preparing them for careers in genomics and data science.
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Bioinformatics exercises teach students to manage and analyze vast amounts of biological data, preparing them for careers in genomics and data science.
Bioinformatics is an organized and accessible way to deal with biological data and information, blending molecular biology with computer science. Modern genomics research generates vast amounts of DNA sequence data. Bioinformatics (and bioinformaticians!) are needed to manage this data and help propel scientific discoveries. Teaching the Genome Generation™ (TtGG) introduces students to this exciting field and career path. Choosing to study ACTN3, CYP2C19, OXTR, or TAS2R38 in the TtGG laboratory curriculum will lead classes to DNA sequence analysis.
Teachers can build on that introduction to bioinformatics through these Bioinformatics Exercises. The Solving a Medical Mystery with Bioinformatics case study is based upon the true story of Dr. James Lupski and takes student on a hunt for the genetic cause of a medical mystery. Other bioinformatics and data analysis activities include searching databases, sequence identification, and interspecies comparison of DNA and amino acid sequences. These exercises are suitable for interactive in-class, asynchronous, and/or virtual classroom settings.
TtGG also offers four classroom-based (non-laboratory) modules in bioinformatics and genomics emphasizing data and math literacy. These modules introduce students to navigating genomics databases, using bioinformatics tools, and performing biologically-relevant calculations through the lens of Cancer Genetics, Sequence Comparison, Variation in the Genome, and Genetic Ancestry.