Tools and applications in computational epigenetics
Supervisor
Suitable for
Abstract
Chemical modifications such as (hydroxy)methylation on nucleic acids are used by the cell for silencing and activation of genes. These so called epigenetic marks can be recognized by ‘protein readers’ indirectly due to their structural ‘imprints', the effects they impose on DNA structure. The project include the development of computational protocols to assess the effect of epigenetic modifications on DNA structure. This research may shed light on how different epigentic modifications affect the helical parameters of the double stranded DNA.
Prerequisites:
Strong interest in visualizing, analysing and comparing 3D objects and modelling molecular structures. The project can be tailored to suit those from a variety of backgrounds but would benefit from having taken the following courses: Computer Graphics, Geometric Modelling and Computer Animation.