Bioinformatics and genomic data: investigating a complex genetic disease -- Computational manipulation of DNA: genetic screening for disease alleles -- Sequence alignment: investigating an influenza outbreak -- Database searching and multiple alignment: investigating antibiotic resistance -- Substitution matrices and protein alignments: virulence factors in e. coli -- Distance measurement in molecular phylogenetics: evolution of mammals -- Tree building in molecular phylogenetics: the three domains of life -- DNA sequencing: identification of novel viral pathogens -- Sequence-based gene prediction: annotation of a resistance plasmid.

Thoroughly revised and updated, Exploring Bioinformatics: A Project-Based Approach, Second Edition is intended for an introductory course in bioinformatics at the undergraduate level. Through hands-on projects, students are introduced to current biological problems and then explore and develop bioinformatic solutions to these issues. Each chapter presents a key problem, provides basic biological concepts, introduces computational techniques to address the problem, and guides students through the use of existing web-based tools and software solutions. This progression prepares students to tackle the On-Your-Own Project, where they develop their own software solutions. Topics such as antibiotic resistance, genetic disease, and genome sequencing provide context and relevance to capture student interest. With a focus on developing students\\\' problem-solving skills, the Second Edition of Exploring Bioinformatics: A Project-Based Approach is a contemporary and comprehensive introduction to this rapidly growing field.