Lecture 1 - Intro

What is Computational Biology

The application of computational methods to solve biological problems

• Spans numerous disciplines: Genomics, molecular biology,
  biophysics, ecology, more.

What is bioinformatics

Sometimes used interchangeably with computational biology

More emphasis on analysis of high-throughput data (e.g., genomic sequence data)

Why is there a need for computation in biology

Computers are required to store and analyze the massive and growing collection of biological data

Examples: DNA sequence, molecular structures, gene expression data, etc.

Computation has become an essential part of modern biological research

What are some common tasks in computational biology

• Pattern discovery

  • Learn patterns from biological data

• Prediction
  • Use patterns to predict biological function

• Integration
  • Develop models that connect levels of information

• Simulation
  • Model behaviour of biological systems on a computer

• Engineering
  • Design novel biological systems for specific purposes

• Therapeutics
  • Design molecular therapeutics to combat

What is a algorithm

A set of rules or instructions specifying how to solve a problem

What is a tool

Implementation of that algorithm (software)