Genes and genomes
A genome is the sum of genetic material of an organism, including all of its genes. It is composed of DNA and contains all the information needed to create and maintain an organism, as well as the instructions on how this information should be expressed.
At SIB, several groups are working on the topic genes and genomes as their main field of activity:
Proteins and proteomes
A proteome is the sum of proteins expressed by a cell, a tissue or an organism, at a given time. Proteins are the products of genes, and are involved in nearly every task carried out within an organism – from carrying oxygen to fighting off pathogens.
At SIB, several groups are working on the topic proteins and proteomes as their main field of activity:
Machine learning and text mining
Machine learning (ML) techniques allow computers to learn from data without explicit instructions, and to draw inferences from data patterns. Text mining algorithms, often based on ML, are designed to recognize patterns within text, such as biomedical terms.
At SIB, several groups are working on the topic machine learning and text mining as their main field of activity:
Evolution and phylogeny
Changes that occur in genomes tell life scientists how an organism has evolved over time. Comparisons made between genomes from different species or populations tell them how they are related to one another – this is the field of phylogenetics.
At SIB, several groups are working on the topic evolution and phylogeny as their main field of activity:
Structural biology
Macromolecules such as DNA and proteins have specific 3D structures that are dictated by their sequence. A protein’s function is defined by its 3D structure, which in turn defines the way it interacts with other molecules.
At SIB, several groups are working on the topic structural biology as their main field of activity:
Systems biology
Life occurs and is sustained by a mesh of interactions within and between cells, tissues, organisms and their environment. Understanding how these complex systems function allows scientists to predict what happens if one of the components changes or the conditions are altered.
At SIB, several groups are working on the topic systems biology as their main field of activity:
Core facilities
The quantity of data generated by the life sciences has grown exponentially over the years and needs to be stored and processed. Researchers also need support in making sense of their data. Core facilities centralize research resources, and provide tools, technologies, services and expert consultation to this end.