Computation and Database Projects in the Brody Laboratory

High throughput techniques in DNA sequencing and gene expression have led to a vast increase in quantitative data. This data is extensive and widely available on the internet. By all accounts there is a wealth of information in the data that has not been completely investigated.

Traditional biology research is hypothesis driven. However, the best way to exploit the vast databanks is discovery driven. The difference is that for hypothesis driven research you need an encyclopedic knowledge of a very specific area (a particular protein, for example) to be able to suggest and perform unique and interesting experiments. Discovery driven research requires a much broader knowledge, along with the ability to rapidly read the relevant literature and get up to speed on a specific area.

Preliminary results were presented in a poster at the Biophysical Society 2002.