GRK 1906:  Computational Methods for the Analysis of the Diversity and Dynamics of Genomes

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine ; Computer Science ; Mathematics
• Term: from 2013 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 221270173

It is a common trend in many of the natural sciences that experimental data production surpasses the capabilities of data interpretation. Through the technological advances not only more genomic data are produced, but also new scientific questions can and will be addressed, like single-cell or metagenomics studies. Many of these questions have in common that they regard the relationship of individuals within larger populations. Understanding both the variation between individuals (diversity) and the change in populations over time (dynamics) are essential to fully comprehend biological systems. In the Research Training Group, we intend to train young academics to be able to develop methods of high importance for the practical analysis of genome diversity and dynamics. In contrast to other programmes that focus on the application of established methods and their adaptation to the new data types, we will direct our research to the specific new algorithms required for questions of diversity and dynamics, and to the computational paradigms to be exploited for their successful application in practice. This encompasses research in five main areas: (1) enhancing computational capacity, (2) basic storage and retrieval, (3) algorithms for analysis of sequential data, (4) algorithms for analysis of structural and network data and (5) methods for interactive analysis and visualisation of results.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: Canada
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bielefeld
• IRTG-Partner Institution: British Columbia Cancer Agency; Vancouver General Hospital; Prostate Centre; Simon Fraser University
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Jens Stoye
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. David L. Baillie; Professor Dr. Ryan Brinkmann; Professorin Fiona S. L. Brinkmann; Professor Dr. Cedric Chauve; Professor Dr. Nansheng Chen; Professor Dr. Artem Cherkasov; Professor Dr. Colin C. Collins; Professor Dr. Funda Ergun, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Martin Ester; Professor Dr. Steven Jones, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Torsten Möller; Professor Dr. Sohrab Shah; Professor Dr. Arrvvindh Shriraman; Professor Dr. Peter J. Unrau
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Ellen Baake; Professor Dr. Robert Giegerich; Professor Dr. Alexander Goesmann; Professorin Dr. Barbara Hammer; Professor Dr. Ralf Hofestädt; Professor Dr.-Ing. Tim Nattkemper, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Markus Nebel, since 12/2016; Professor Dr. Alexander Sczyrba
• IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson: Professor Dr. S. Cenk Sahinalp