Center for Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics - the application of methods from informatics to scientific problems of life sciences - has become a key technology in the 21st century. The computer has become an integral part of modern molecular biological and pharmaceutical research.
Research in life sciences is characterized by high-throughput experiments, for example sequencing of complete genomes, protein structure determination, expression profile determination, or measuring molecular interactions between biomolecules. These experiments result in large volumes of complex data.
Bioinformatics plays a key role in this context by supplying the appropriate software tools for analyzing, evaluating and interpreting this data.
The research at the Center for Bioinformatics Hamburg (ZBH) covers the following main fields of Bioinformatics:
The focus lies on the development as well as on the application of novel computational methods addressing problems in life sciences. With its four research groups the Center for Bioinformatics Hamburg has a wide range of expertise to develop methods for specific problems and is open to joint applications to support collaborative projects. The specific expertise and interests of the groups are described below.
The Center for Bioinformatics Hamburg offers following services for researchers:
Genome Informatics
The Research Group for Genome Informatics works on methods for the efficient storage and retrieval of large amounts of sequence data. Based on these methods, software tools for comparing complete genomes and for prediction of functional elements like gene structures and repetitive sequences are developed. The group is also involved in service-oriented data evaluation and visualization projects. Possible areas for collaborations are
Please contact Prof. Stefan Kurtz (Phone: 040 42838 7311).
Application-oriented Bioinformatics
Although biomolecular sequence analysis is a well-established research area, it is continuously challenged by emerging high-throughput analysis technologies. These technologies demand efficient data processing and integration solutions to turn the vast amount of raw data into biological and biomedical knowledge. The newly founded Junior Research Group for Application-oriented Bioinformatics (ABI) works on the development of new computational methods and tools for large-scale data analysis, as well as their integration into user-friendly applications. The ABI group is also involved in service-oriented data evaluation projects. Possible areas for collaborations are:
Please contact Dr. Michael Beckstette (Phone: 040 42838 7303)
Biomolecular Modeling
For the prediction of shape and function of large biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids one needs mathematical models. The Research Group for Biomolecular Modeling builds models to help understand molecular processes or even predict how molecules will behave within their natural environment. Possible areas for collaborations are:
Please contact Prof. Andrew Torda (Phone: 040 42838 7331)
Computational Molecular Design
Compute aided molecular design and molecular modeling address, among other things, the development of compounds such as pharmaceuticals showing effects in biological systems. The Research Group for Computational Molecular Design develops and implements new computational methods in this field and uses the resulting software tools in specific application studies. Possible areas for collaborations are:
Please contact Prof. Matthias Rarey (Phone: 040 42838 7351)
