The Dowell lab seeks to uncover the core principles behind transcriptional regulation. Specifically, we use a number of experimental and computational approaches to compare closely related individuals to discover the underlying mechanistic principles of transcriptional regulation. We have been using nascent sequencing (GRO-seq, PRO-seq, others) to study the response of polymerase to changes in TF activity. As much of our work leverages novel data, such as precision run-on sequencing (PRO-seq), or integrates across diverse large-scale datasets (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, 3-seq, etc), we must frequently develop new computational approaches in order to answer interesting biological questions.
keywords
Computational biology, comparative genomics, systems biology, machine learning, probabilistic modeling, data science, Down syndrome, personalized medicine
CSCI 4830 - Special Topics in Computer Science
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
Covers topics of interest in computer science at the senior undergraduate level. Content varies from semester to semester. Only 9 credit hours from CSCI 4830 and/or CSCI 4831 can count toward Computer Science BS or BA.
CSCI 7000 - Current Topics in Computer Science
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
Covers research topics of current interest in computer science that do not fall into a standard subarea. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours.
MCDB 3450 - Biological Data Science
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
The central function of data science is to extract information from complex datasets. Biology is an increasingly large-data endeavor with health care records, genomics datasets, and extensive imaging. This course will develop core data science skills, including statistical analysis, visualization, data management, machine learning, and modeling. Recommended prerequisite: MCDB 2150 or EBIO 2070 (minimum grade C-), or exposure to probability theory.
MCDB 4520 - Bioinformatics and Genomics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
Computational and experimental methods in bioinformatics and genomics, and how these methods provide insights into protein structure and function, molecular evolution, biological diversity, cell biology and human disease. Topics include database searching, multiple sequence alignment, molecular phylogeny, microarrays, proteomics and pharmacogenomics. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 3135 or CHEM 4700 (minimum grade C-). Same as MCDB 5520.
MCDB 4521 - Bioinformatics and Genomics Laboratory
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
Provides experience with, and exposure to, computational and experimental methods in bioinformatics and genomics. Meets once a week. Students are expected to read original research papers, discuss findings, plan and execute data analysis in selected areas. Same as MCDB 5521.
MCDB 5520 - Bioinformatics and Genomics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
Computational and experimental methods in bioinformatics and genomics, and how these methods provide insights into protein structure and function, molecular evolution, biological diversity, cell biology and human disease. Topics include database searching, multiple sequence alignment, molecular phylogeny, microarrays, proteomics and pharmacogenomics. Same as MCDB 4520.
MCDB 5521 - Bioinformatics and Genomics Laboratory
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
Provides experience with, and exposure to, computational and experimental methods in bioinformatics and genomics. Meets once a week. Students are expected to read original research papers, discuss findings, plan and execute data analysis in selected areas. Same as MCDB 4521
MCDB 6000 - Introduction to Laboratory Methods
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Introduces methodology and techniques used in biological research. Designed as a tutorial between a few students and one faculty member. Students are expected to read original research papers, discuss findings, and to plan and execute experiments in selected areas. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
MCDB 6440 - Special Topics in MCD Biology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
Acquaints students with various topics not normally covered in the curriculum. Offered intermittently or upon student demand, and often presented by visiting professors. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.
