Bioinformatics

Members: Jürgen Cox, Matthias Mann, Nadin Neuhauser, Mario Oroshi, Christoph Schaab, Richard Scheltema

Mass spectrometry based proteomics is now a multidisciplinary scientific endeavor with extensive applications and far-reaching impact. This transition from a previously so-called niche domain to one of the strongest stakeholders of post-genomics science has been propelled by technological advances in mass spectrometry instrumentation and state-of-the-art bioinformatics innovations. Proteomics is now a very data intensive discipline which requires extensive informatics support, and Bioinformatics has thus become a pivotal constituent of this field. As we keep pace with the day-to-day advances in high-throughput scientific research we appreciate that proteomics in itself is now largely handicapped without proper bioinformatics infrastructure and support, and thus we have invested adequately on establishing extensive bioinformatics support in our lab.

The bioinformatics research in our lab is a multifaceted enterprise that complements various needs of a typical proteomics research project. The range of activities includes research and development on novel algorithms and techniques for identification, validation, analysis, visualization, and quantitation of proteomics data. Moreover we work extensively on a gamut of high-quality and extensive proteome databases which include our phospho-proteomics database Phosida and Max Planck Unified Proteome (MAPU) database.

Bioinformatics activities in our lab are closely integrated within the theme of high-throughput proteomics research, which in turn is an eclectic blend of discovery and hypothesis-driven science. The group plays an active role in conceptualization and execution of the projects in lab, and caters to their diverse and comprehensive data analysis demands. We undertake a holistic approach to problem identification and solving wherein we work in close collaboration with fellow lab members on cutting edge biomedical problems. The group is ably supported by graduate students and post docs with expertise in the field of bioinformatics, data-mining, computer programming, database and statistics.