Problems at the interface between statistics,

biomathematics and bioinformatics

Chris Glasbey

Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland

A cell

© David Ussert, DTU, Denmark

Talk plan

1. DNA

2. mRNA

3. Protein

4. Genetic networks

1. DNA

1. DNA

1. DNA

Frank Wright et al

BioSS

1. DNA

Two approaches to detecting recombination

1. DNA

2. mRNA

6400 yeast genes expressed in ethanol or glucose

DeRisi et al (Science, 1997)

2. mRNA

© NHGRI

2. mRNAFive clusters of genes

2. mRNA

6830 human genes x 64 cancer tumours

Hastie et al (Genome Biology, 2000)

3. Proteins

Electrophoresis gel

Lars Pedersen DTU, Denmark

3. Proteins

Protein separation by

1. pH

2. Mol. Wt.

3. Proteins

gel 1 gel 2

How to compare gels 1 and 2?

3. Proteins

John Gustafsson, Chalmers University, Sweden

WARP

3. Proteins

3. Proteins

3. Proteins

Two gels superimposed (in different colours)

4. Genetic networks

4. Genetic networks

4. Genetic networks

Is it possible to infer the network from gene expression data such as these?

Dirk Husmeier, BioSS

4. Genetic networks

truth inferred

The future

Systems biology

“to understand biological processes not as isolated parts but as integrated systems from molecules to cells and how networks of cells function together in integrated ways in tissues, organs and whole organisms”

BBSRC has £30M initiative