Improving gene regulatory network inference using network topology information
- Authors: Nair, Ajay , Chetty, Madhu , Wangikar, Pramod
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Molecular BioSystems Vol. 11, no. 9 (2015), p. 2449-2463
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Inferring the gene regulatory network (GRN) structure from data is an important problem in computational biology. However, it is a computationally complex problem and approximate methods such as heuristic search techniques, restriction of the maximum-number-of-parents (maxP) for a gene, or an optimal search under special conditions are required. The limitations of a heuristic search are well known but literature on the detailed analysis of the widely used maxP technique is lacking. The optimal search methods require large computational time. We report the theoretical analysis and experimental results of the strengths and limitations of the maxP technique. Further, using an optimal search method, we combine the strengths of the maxP technique and the known GRN topology to propose two novel algorithms. These algorithms are implemented in a Bayesian network framework and tested on biological, realistic, and in silico networks of different sizes and topologies. They overcome the limitations of the maxP technique and show superior computational speed when compared to the current optimal search algorithms.
Graduate employment trends in the life sciences : Implications for microbiology educators
- Authors: Smith, John , Grando, Danilla , Fotinatos, Nina
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Microbiology Australia Vol. 2, no. (2016), p. 56-59
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Graduates in the Life Sciences, including microbiology have experienced similar employment trends to graduates in other fields over the past 30 years. Recent downward trends in graduate employment levels have raised concerns among educators and the community in general. Awareness of the diverse opportunities for graduates of microbiology is needed. For many, explicit education in ‘employability skills’ is also considered to be needed to enable graduates to succeed in the competitive job market.