The idea for this book on computational genomics was spawned when Nello Cristianini and Matthew Hahn co-taught a class on computational genomics at the University of California-Davis in 2004
How do plants know when it's time to wake up and soak up some sun? How do people recognise different smells? Where in the world was that Sars virus born?.
These and other scientific questions are probed and explained in a soon-to-be released book by scientists from Indiana University and the University of Bristol, U.K.
Matthew Hahn, IU assistant professor of biology and of informatics, and Nello Cristianini, Bristol professor of artificial intelligence, are the authors of Introduction to Computational Genomics: A Case Studies Approach (Cambridge University Press).
"The genomic revolution has allowed scientists to better understand what makes human beings tick, but the revolution would not have happened without powerful computational and statistical tools to gather and analyse the data," said Hahn.
"Many academic institutions, such as the IU School of Informatics, are introducing courses to train the next generation of bioinformaticians - biologists who are fluent in mathematics and computer science, and computational researchers familiar with biology".
Computational genomics (also called bioinformatics) is a specialised field that uses various methods and advanced information technology to identify and predict genetic functions.
Such studies are essential for researchers who seek to develop effective and safe therapies for genetic disorders such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.
The idea for the book was spawned when Cristianini and Hahn co-taught a class on computational genomics at the University of California-Davis in 2004.
The challenge in teaching the course was that there was no single appropriate textbook for their students to use.
"The whole idea was that in order to have fun with bioinformatics we needed to explain the biological relevance to our students," said Cristianini.
"Too often computer scientists are not told what the final application of their work will be".
"This book remedies that, starting and ending with compelling biological questions, and developing the necessary methods to address each one along the way".
The 182-page book, which is based largely on the courses the authors taught at UC, is a hands-on primer for readers and guides them through specific cases and scientific studies.
For example, it discusses the genetic links modern humans share with Neanderthals, the origins of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and how plants use their internal clocks.
