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Question

[rubeel]

I am trying to get into bioinformatics or just trying to get a jist of what is going on. I wanted to see the difference between different methods for gene variation. I looked at blast and installed it locally on my windows machine. Did the initial steps and got it working. Not sure which protein or gene seq to use but I was trying to figure out other methods or products I can use against similar proteins or gene sequences.

Any idea or suggestion, I know I am asking question here but I tried reading into existing questions and couldn't see any previous topic on this. Anyone who can point to a video would be great also

So here is what I am looking at I guess

• good introduction to how gene comparison is done and general genome information
• get different products or methods used for measuring gene variations

Any help or guidance will be great.

Answer 1

[Pavel Senin]

I would guess that you will benefit by taking taking this free class from Coursera, "Introduction to Genetics and Evolution", that just started. Building knowledge systematically from the beginning really helps later on.

I took few courses from Coursera - the amazing option is the ability to ask questions and to discuss problems.

They say that there is no real requirements for prior coursework, class will cover:

Course Syllabus

• Evidence for evolution
• Introduction to basic genetics
• Recombination and genetic mapping simple traits
• Complications to genetic mapping
• Genes vs. environment
• Basic population genetics and Hardy-Weinberg
• Gene flow, differentiation, inbreeding
• Natural selection and genetic drift
• Molecular evolution
• Adaptive behaviors and sexual selection
• Species formation and phylogenetics
• Evolutionary applications and misapplications