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Bioinformatics Algorithms

A comprehensive, code-driven bioinformatics algorithms course that equips you to tackle sequence analysis, genome assembly, and evolutionary inference in real research settings.

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

What will you learn in Bioinformatics Algorithms Course

  • Grasp fundamental bioinformatics algorithms for sequence analysis, alignment, and assembly

  • Implement dynamic programming approaches: Needleman–Wunsch, Smith–Waterman, and BLAST heuristics

  • Understand graph-based methods for genome assembly (de Bruijn graphs) and variation detection

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  • Apply probabilistic models: hidden Markov models for gene prediction and profile HMMs for protein families

  • Leverage optimization techniques for multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree reconstruction

Program Overview

Module 1: Introduction to Bioinformatics & Sequence Data

⏳ 1 week

  • Topics: Biological sequence formats (FASTA, FASTQ), scoring matrices (PAM, BLOSUM)

  • Hands-on: Parse real DNA/RNA FASTA files and compute simple similarity scores

Module 2: Pairwise Alignment with Dynamic Programming

⏳ 1 week

  • Topics: Global alignment (Needleman–Wunsch), local alignment (Smith–Waterman), affine gap penalties

  • Hands-on: Implement both algorithms in Python and align sample protein sequences

Module 3: Heuristic Alignment & BLAST

⏳ 1 week

  • Topics: BLAST algorithm overview, word-size seeding, high-scoring segment pairs (HSPs)

  • Hands-on: Use Biopython to run and parse BLAST searches against a small custom database

Module 4: Multiple Sequence Alignment

⏳ 1 week

  • Topics: Progressive alignment (ClustalW), iterative refinement, consistency-based methods

  • Hands-on: Align a set of homologous protein sequences and visualize conserved motifs

Module 5: Genome Assembly Algorithms

⏳ 1 week

  • Topics: Overlap–layout–consensus vs. de Bruijn graph approaches, error correction basics

  • Hands-on: Build a de Bruijn graph from simulated reads and extract contigs

Module 6: Hidden Markov Models in Bioinformatics

⏳ 1 week

  • Topics: HMM components, Viterbi and forward–backward algorithms, profile HMMs for domain detection

  • Hands-on: Train a simple HMM for gene prediction on toy bacterial sequences

Module 7: Phylogenetic Inference & Tree Reconstruction

⏳ 1 week

  • Topics: Distance-based (UPGMA, neighbor-joining) and character-based (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood) methods

  • Hands-on: Construct and compare phylogenetic trees from aligned sequences using scikit-bio

Module 8: Advanced Topics & Capstone Project

⏳ 1 week

  • Topics: Sequence clustering, variant calling basics, scalable algorithms for big data

  • Hands-on: End-to-end mini-project: annotate a draft bacterial genome with gene models and variant sites

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Job Outlook

  • Bioinformatics algorithm expertise is in demand in genomics research, pharmaceutical R&D, and biotech startups

  • Roles include Bioinformatics Scientist, Computational Biologist, Genomics Data Engineer, and Algorithm Developer

  • Salaries range from $85,000 to $150,000+ depending on degree level and industry

  • Foundational algorithm skills underpin advanced work in personalized medicine, AI-driven drug discovery, and population genomics

9.6Expert Score
Highly Recommendedx
This course delivers a methodical journey through core bioinformatics algorithms, blending theory with practical Python implementations and real biological data.
Value
9
Price
9.2
Skills
9.4
Information
9.5
PROS
  • Strong balance of algorithmic depth and biological context
  • Hands-on coding exercises reinforce understanding of complex methods
  • Capstone integrates multiple techniques into a cohesive genomics workflow
CONS
  • Assumes comfort with Python and basic biology concepts
  • Advanced topics like structural bioinformatics and deep learning for genomics are not covered

Specification: Bioinformatics Algorithms

access

Lifetime

level

Beginner

certificate

Certificate of completion

language

English

Course | Career Focused Learning Platform
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