The Elusive Gene

February 16, 2012
2:50 pm - 4:00 pm
Halligan 111

Abstract

Over the past couple of decades, the amount of sequenced DNA has increased at an exponential rate. In this talk, we look at the large data sets generated by DNA sequencing technology and at algorithms for extracting insights from this wealth of data. We will focus on computational models and methods that incorporate sequencing data for the purpose of elucidating some of the most elusive genes in a genome, both where the genes reside in the genome and how they act within the cell.

Brian Tjaden earned his BA degree from Amherst College and his MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Washington. Previously, he worked at Intel Corporation and the Institute for Systems Biology, and he was a visiting scholar at Harvard University. He is now the Theresa Mall Mullarkey Associate Professor of Computer Science at Wellesley College.