Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Introduction to Bioinformatics

Introduction to Bioinformatics
6
13489
2
Second semester
OB
BASIC HEALTH INFORMATICS TOOLS
Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Teaching staff


Dra. FALAGUERA MATA, Maria Jose - mjfalaguera@uic.es

Questions will be answered in person before or after class, or via e-mail.

Teachers:

Introduction

With the continuous generation of massive amounts of biomedical data on a daily basis, whether from research laboratories, clinical labs or private companies. We need to improve our ability to understand and analyze the data in order to take full advantage of its power in scientific discoveries and patient care. For non-bioinformaticians, “handling” big data remains a daunting task. 

This course is designed to cover the most basic bioinformatic skills that anyone in the biomedical field should know.

Pre-course requirements

To follow this class, previous knowledge in genetics, biomolecules and molecular biology is needed. Additional experience with the use of computers, web browsers and the internet and use of spreadsheets software is highly recommended.


Objectives

The goal of this course is to acquire a general view of basic bioinformatic tools in biomedical research and clinical practice. 

  • To obtain a global vision of the impact of data and how biology and biomedicine are changing.
  • To understand bioinformatics as a transversal tool to multiple disciplines.
  • To know and master the main available public biological databases in biomedical research.
  • To introduce basic knowledge of programming languages and their relevance in modern biology.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

Basic skills

  1. Ability to understand, develop and apply computational workflows to solve complex biological problems.
  2. Understand how data-driven research is done.
  3. Communicate in a clear and accurate manner the process and results of their work.

General skills

  1. Use the most important bioinformatic resources in biomedical research. 
  2. Ability to independently identify and use the appropriate bioinformatic tools relevant to each biological compound and process. 

Transversal skills

  1. Develop the ability of organization and planning appropriate to the moment.
  2. Use the internet as a means of communication and a source of information.
  3. Know how to communicate, make presentations, and write scientific papers.
  4. Develop the ability of problem solving.

Learning outcomes of the subject

By the end of the course, students will:

  1. General knowledge of available biological databases and how to use them.
  2. General Knowledge of programming and programming languages.
  3. Generate scientific communications that entails the use of bioinformatic tools.

Syllabus

  • Unit 1: Introduction to Computational Biology

  • Unit 2: Biological Databases

  • Unit 3: Bioinformatic tools for Genetics

  • Unit 4: Bioinformatic tool for Proteins

  • Unit 5: Chemoinformatic

  • Unit 6: Molecule-protein Interactions

  • Unit 7: Systems Biology

  • Unit 8: Basics of programing

Teaching and learning activities

In person



Lectures: Presentation of theoretical topics and technical aspects by the professor.

Clinical cases or case methods (CM): Presentation of a real or hypothetical situation in small groups. Students will work alongside the professor to solve practical questions. The teacher intervenes actively and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge. 

Practical sessions: In small groups, students will be assessed in their ability to independently use the tools presented in the lectures and CM. Additional activities of debate about the suitability of the current tools and potential new tools will be carried out. 

Virtual Education (VE): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time and that will contribute to the self-learning of concepts related to the subject.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



  • Lectures: 30%
    • Midterm: Units 1-4 (15%)
    • Final: Units 5-8 (15%)
    • Retake: Units 1-4 and/or Units 5-8
  • MC: 40%
    • Block I: Unit 1-3 (~16%)
    • Block II: Unit 4-7 (~16%)
    • Block III: Unit 8 (~8%)
  • Practice: 30%
    • 6 Sessions (5% session)


* Teachers reserve up to 10% of the grade to be awarded on subjective grounds such as: involvement, participation, respect for basic rules, etc.

* In order to pass the course, students must obtain a minimum grade of 5 in the lecture section.

Bibliography and resources

  1. Applied Bioinformatics, 2nd Edition. Springer (2018). ISBN: 978-3-319-68299-0
  2. Biomedical Informatics, 4th Edition. Springer (2014). ISBN:  978-1-4471-4473-1
  3. Fundations of Programming Languages. 2nd Edition. Springer (2017). ISBN: 978-3-319-70789-1
  4. Bioinformatics with Python cookbook, 2nd Edition ISBN-10: 1789344697
  5. H. Wickham. R packages. O'Reailly, Sebastopol, 2015.

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 03/06/2022 A16 11:00h
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