Product Description

Bioinformatics – the process of searching biological databases, comparing sequences, examining protein structures, and researching biological questions with a computer – is one of the marvels of modern technology that can save you months of lab work. And the most amazing part is that, if you know how, you can use highly sophisticated programs over the Internet without paying a dime and sometimes, without installing anything new on your own computer. All you need to know is how to use these technological miracles.

That′s where Bioinformatics For Dummies comes in. If you want to know what bioinformatics is all about and how to use it without wading through pages of computer gibberish or taking a course full of theory, this book has the answers in plain English. You′ll find out how to

• Use Internet resources
• Understand bioinformatics jargon
• Research biological databases
• Locate the sequences you need
• Perform specific tasks, step by step

Written by two experts who helped develop the science, Bioinformatics For Dummies is all about getting things done. If you′re just getting your feet wet, start at the beginning with a quick review of those necessary parts of microbiology and an overview of the tools available. If you already know what you want to do, you can go directly to a chapter that shows you how. Get the lowdown on

• Researching and analyzing DNA and protein sequences
• Gathering information from all published sources
• Searching databases for similar sequences and acquiring information about gene functions through sequence comparisons
• Producing and editing multiple sequence comparisons for presentation
• Predicting protein structures and RNA structures
• Doing phylogenetic analysis

With an Internet connection and Bioinformatics For Dummies, you′ll discover how to peruse databases that contain virtually everything known about human biology. It′s like having access to the world′s largest lab, right from your desk. This book is your lab assistant – one that never takes a day off, never argues when you ask it for help, and won′t demand a benefits package.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #369040 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Review
“…buy soon and read fast!…” (Spixiana, July 2004)

"...will be of enormous practical assistance to anyone getting to grips with bioinformatics tools in the course of their research..." (Briefings in Bioinformatics, June 2003)

Spixiana, July 04
"...buy soon and read fast!…

From the Back Cover
"A painless and thorough introduction to the field."
—Jim Kent, Research Scientist, UC Santa Cruz

Related Web site helps you find the best tools

Get an overview, choose the right databases, or analyze sequences like a pro

Whether you’re baffled by bioinformatics or just weary of wandering the Web, you’ve come to the right place. This friendly volume is like chatting with the experts. You’ll get bioinformatics basics plus a cookbook of cool ideas, tips on tools, directions to the best Web sites, and shortcuts to great results – all in plain English!

Praise for Bioinformatics For Dummies

"The authors cover practical and theoretical aspects of a wide range of bioinformatics tools with remarkable clarity and humor. This book is a painless and thorough introduction to the field."
– Jim Kent, Author of GigAssembler, used in the Human Genome Project

Customer Reviews

they say on the title "an excellent book for beginners and occasional practioners"
... and I agree. This is a book for molecular biologist who want to analyse their data using bioinformatics tools. I would prefer Baxevanis/Oullette "Bioinformatics: A Practical Guide to the Analysis of Genes and Proteins", however, if this is too expensive for you than this "Bioinformatics for Dummies" is the second best choice. Layout and index is a bit more confused but it covers most stuff you will need.

A word of warning: if you want to learn how the programs work, you have to look for a different type of book, e.g. "Biological Sequence Analysis: Probabilistic Models of Proteins and Nucleic Acids" by R. Durbin, Sean R. Eddy, Anders Krogh, and Graeme Mitchison or "Algorithmic Aspects of Bioinformatics" by Hans-Joachim Bockenhauer and Dirk Bongartz.

Clear and informative
So much of the information is this field (and indeed some of the applications which have been developed) seems almost intentially convoluted and difficult to understand. This book gives a very good overview of some of the more common programs that one will need to use if one is starting bioinformatics research in a way that is practical and easy understand. Despite the title, the authors have done some good work in the field (I use Notredame's T-Coffee alignment program often) and are credible authorities in this area.