Microbial Genomes Curator @ Computercraft Corporation--Maryland (US)

Microbial Genomes Curator @ Computercraft Corporation--Maryland (US). Submitted by Computercraft Corporation; posted on Saturday, March 17, 2012

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Computercraft seeks a microbiologist to work with a team of software developers and biologists on microbial genome analysis including pan-genome, protein clusters, phylogenetic tree and more. This is a technically challenging position requiring experience in genome sequencing and annotation. A background in comparative genome analysis such as alignments and tree building is a plus.

Our scientists work with genomic experts at the NIH's National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to create and enhance a suite of databases and tools available to researchers worldwide. Teamwork interaction and excellent organizational skills are essential for this detail-oriented position, as is scientific problem-solving with a results-oriented focus.

REQUIREMENTS:
* PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, or related field
* Experience in genome sequencing and annotation
* Familiarity with BLAST, genome browser, and genome assembly data
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as organizational skills
* Strong interest in contributing to the development of public database resources

PREFERENCES:
Other Desirable Skills:
* Programming experience with LINUX/UNIX
* Scripting experience in PERL or related scripting languages

COMPENSATION:
Computercraft offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including PPO health insurance with 100% company paid premiums, 401K program with matching, paid time off and holiday pay, life insurance, flexible spending and disability coverage. We offer an excellent work life balance with a standard 40 hour work week and the chance to work alongside accomplished scientists at NIH/NCBI.

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this position or learn about other Computercraft job opportunities, please visit the Careers section of our website: http://www.computercraft-usa.com/

POLICY:
Computercraft is an equal opportunity employer.

Anna University develops bio-defence shield

Microbes as bio-defence against chemical weapons, a skin-thin membrane to protect soldiers against toxic environments and cost-effective bio-diesel to fuel military vehicles are among the contributions researchers in the city are set to make for the Indian solider. Developing these futuristic systems is Anna University, with funding from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Of the 12 projects the university submitted, DRDO has approved four and allocated Rs 88 lakh as the first instalment. "The projects are research for bio-defence against pathogens and toxins, development of membranes for gas and organic vapour separation, development of novel anti-fouling nano and ultra filtration membranes (these membranes will prevent the solider from imbibing nano-sized toxins) and development of alternative source for bio-diesel from non-edible oils," D Mohan, a senior scientist with Anna University told the press.

The most important among these is the research on development of bio-defence. "The threat of biological warfare is real, as enemies can unleash bacterial and viral pathogens resistant to known drugs. Even while trying to develop drugs against these pathogens, we have to develop new categories of probiotic microbes, considered good microbes, to resist and overpower toxic microbes,' said K Sankaran, a biotechnologist involved in the project, said.

He added that research is on to develop prevention systems. "We are developing sophisticated remote sensing systems to identify the probable nature and signature of the toxins that the enemies could use. We are also looking at microbes which could be used to negate the effects of a biological attack."

An effective mask against such toxic materials would be a membrane under development that can keep out noxious gases from inhalable air. "This membrane will be used in gas masks. Our challenge is to allow oxygen in and keep harmful and organic vapours out. We have the expertise in membrane technology and we hope to successfully complete the project soon," D Mohan said.

The team developing the membrane is also involved in the research on anti-fouling nano and ultra filtration membranes. "Bio-fouling, the formation of a mucous-like membrane over objects kept in water for long duration, is the main reason for damage of membranes in treatment plants. We need to develop a membrane which can prevent bio-fouling and can perform consistently. Our soldiers, who are camping in extreme conditions, do not get good quality drinking water. With the development of these membranes, the efficiency of water treatment plants in extreme condition will improve," Mohan said.

Anna University is also developing cost-effective bio-diesel from non-edible oil. The aim of this research is to bring down the cost of fueling military vehicles.

Be part of XTractor community.

• XTractor the first of its kind - Literature alert service, provides manually curated & annotated sentences for the Keywords of your choice
  
• XTractor maps, extracted entities (genes, processes, drugs, diseases etc) to multiple ontologies
  
• Enables customized report generation. With XTractor the sentences are categorized into biologically significant relationships
  
• The categorized sentences could then be tagged and shared across multiple users
  
• Provides users with the ability to create his own database for a set of Key terms
  
• Users could change the Keywords of preference from time to time, with changing research needs
  
• XTractor thus proves to be a platform for getting real-time highly accurate data along with the ability to Share and collaborate
  
  

Sign up it's free, and takes less than a minute. Just click here:www.xtractor.in.

International Project Launched to Sequence Human Microbiome, Share Data

In Heidelberg, Germany, today researchers from eight countries and the European Commission announced the formation of a new research enterprise, the International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC), which will sequence the genomes of tens of thousands of microorganisms that live in and on the human body and that influence human health.

Initial funding of more than US$200 million is being provided by the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the European Commission (EC).

Jane Peterson, associate director of extramural research at the NHGRI, said international collaboration is very important in advancing science, and that “the sum is more than the parts.” Participants in the IHMC have agreed in principle to the free and open release of data and resources, and the coordination of research plans, as well as to sharing innovative developments, she reported. Data from microbiome research already being conducted by the NIH Human Microbiome Project and the EC Metagenomics of the Human Intestinal Tract (MetaHIT) project will contribute an initial set of microbial genomes to the IHMC. Because the field is so young – less than three years old – there is much to be gained by collaboration, Peterson said.

Christian Desaintes, from the Research Directorate of the European Commission, said the IHMC’s goal for five years hence is to be sequencing 1000 microbiome genomes from over 1000 individuals’ body parts. The parts in question are the skin, mouth, nasal passages, gastro-intestinal tract, and urogenital tract.

Do you want to know more?

Be a part of the XTractor community. XTractor is the first of its kind - Literature alert service, that provides manually curated and annotated sentences for the Keywords of user preference. XTractor maps the extracted entities (genes, processes, drugs, diseases etc) to multiple ontologies and enables customized report generation. With XTractor the sentences are categorized into biological significant relationships and it also provides the user with the ability to create his own database for a set of Key terms. Also the user could change the Keywords of preference from time to time, with changing research needs. The categorized sentences could then be tagged and shared across multiple users. Thus XTractor proves to be a platform for getting real-time highly accurate data along with the ability to Share and collaborate.

Sign up it's free, and takes less than a minute. Just click here:www.xtractor.in.

Computational tool to help us better understand how microbes govern human, environmental health

We all understand that even the tiniest changes in the environment can create big opportunities and challenges for plants, animals and humans, but rarely do we consider what's happening on a microscopic level and what those changes could mean for the infinite varieties of life on Earth or how mankind's day-to-day experiences could be affected.

But University of Houston researchers Yuriy Fofanov and Lennart Johnsson understand that what we don't see often carries big-picture implications. They've recently garnered international recognition for applying such vision while creating technologies to help monitor the sizes and genomic diversity of microbial communities.

"The computational tools will pave the way to less expensive and more reliable tests that can be used across the globe. The sheer number of microbial communities presents great commercial potential," said Johnsson, Cullen distinguished professor of computer science, mathematics, and electrical and computer engineering and head of UH's TLC2 and the Advanced Computing Research Laboratory (ACRL).

Do you want to know more?

Be a part of the XTractor community. XTractor is the first of its kind - Literature alert service, that provides manually curated and annotated sentences for the Keywords of user preference. XTractor maps the extracted entities (genes, processes, drugs, diseases etc) to multiple ontologies and enables customized report generation. With XTractor the sentences are categorized into biological significant relationships and it also provides the user with the ability to create his own database for a set of Key terms. Also the user could change the Keywords of preference from time to time, with changing research needs. The categorized sentences could then be tagged and shared across multiple users. Thus XTractor proves to be a platform for getting real-time highly accurate data along with the ability to Share and collaborate.

Sign up it's free, and takes less than a minute. Just click here:www.xtractor.in.