Bioinformatics Algorithms: an Active Learning Approach, Vol. 2 (2nd edition)

This is Vol. 2 of Bioinformatics Algorithms: an Active Learning Approach, one of the first textbooks to emerge from the recent Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) revolution. A light-hearted and analogy-filled companion to the authors’ acclaimed Bioinformatics Specialization on Coursera (http://coursera.org/specialization/bioinformatics/34), this book presents students with a dynamic approach to learning bioinformatics. It strikes a unique balance between practical challenges in modern biology and fundamental algorithmic ideas, thus capturing the interest of students of both biology and computer science. Each chapter begins with a biological question, such as “Are There Fragile Regions in the Human Genome?” or “Which DNA Patterns Play the Role of Molecular Clocks?” and then steadily develops the algorithmic sophistication required to answer this question. Hundreds of exercises are incorporated directly into the text as soon as they are needed; readers can test their knowledge through automated coding challenges on the Rosalind Bioinformatics Textbook Track (http://rosalind.info/problems/list-view/?location=bioinformatics-textbook-track).

Table of Contents

Chapter 7: Which Animal Gave Us SARS?
Chapter 8: How Did Yeast Become a Wine Maker?
Chapter 9: How Do We Locate Disease-Causing Mutations?
Chapter 10: Why Have Biologists Still Not Developed an HIV Vaccine?
Chapter 11: Was T. rex Just a Big Chicken?