Date / Time / Location :
Thursday February 9^th, 2012 – 4:00 pm
Room S1-151 at IRIC

Affiliation :
CHUM Research Centre

URL :
Simon Girard

Abstract :
The last decade has been revolutionary for the field of genetic / genomic. First, through mass genotyping studies, it has been possible to decipher the complexity of genomic variations. The recent breakthroughs in sequencing studies have allowed us to transpose our knowledge of genomic variations down to the level of a single individual. In the distance, we can see an era where an individual’s genome will be the key to a more personalized and efficient healthcare. However, before we get there, many challenges still have to be overcome. Possibly the biggest of those challenges is the lack of appropriate bioinformatic ressources to bring the personal sequencing to a population scale. Furthermore, our comprehension of many complex diseases is still too incomplete to be transfered to a single individual. The topic of this talk will be to discuss the bioinformatics challenges that stand in the way of the application of personal genome in everyday’s medicine.

Thank you for your comprehension.
See you on February 9th !

Date / Time / Location :
Wednesday December 14^th, 2011 – 4:00 pm
Room 232, Leacock Building
McGill University
855 Sherbrooke Street West

This talk is sponsored by :

Affiliation :
Simon Fraser University

URL :
Cédric Chauve

Abstract :
Paleogenomics aims at reconstructing the genomes of extinct species, whose DNA can not be sequenced due to molecular decay. Hence the only possible approach is the study of current genomes (i.e. descendants of these extinct species) to detect conserved features that might indicate ancestral genomic characters and then to assemble these characters into ancestral genomes. In this talk I will describe recent (successfull?) efforts to reconstruct the architecture of ancient vertebrate genomes, from placental mammalians to amniotes.

Date / Time / Location :
Thursday November 10^th, 2011 – 4:00 pm
Room 232, Leacock Building
McGill University
855 Sherbrooke Street West

Affiliation :
IRCM

URL :
Éric Lécuyer

Abstract :
Trafficking of mRNAs to specific regions of the cell prior to translation represents an important, yet poorly understood, mechanism for regulating cellular protein distribution. In a previous global microscopy-based study of mRNA localization in Drosophila, we found that most mRNAs are subcellularly localized during development in patterns that broadly correlate with subsequent protein distribution, suggesting that mRNA trafficking plays a key role in regulation protein network assembly and function. Transcript targeting is generally thought to be controlled by cis-elements residing in the mRNA molecule, which are recognised by specific transport machineries. However, mRNA trafficking pathways and their broad impact on cellular function remain poorly characterized. The overall goal of our laboratory is to understand how mRNA localization impacts cellular organization, with a particular focus on the study of transcripts that localize to chromatin/nuclei and the cell-division apparatus. By combining the versatility of Drosophila genetics, high-resolution molecular imaging analysis, and functional genomics approaches, we aim to dissect the genetic pathways and molecular mechanisms that control mRNA trafficking and to assess their functional impact on the cell.

Date / Time / Location:
Friday October 21^st, 2011 – 4:00 pm
Room 232, Leacock Building
McGill University
855 Sherbrooke Street West

Affiliation :
IRIC, DIRO — Université de Montréal

URL
François Major

Abstract :
Protein levels determine cell types and states. In eucaryotes, one of the mechanisms that control protein output is driven by microRNAs (miRNAs). Mature miRNAs are about 22-nucleotide long RNAs. They are loaded in and guide miRNA-induced silencing complexes (miRISCs) to bind to complementary sites in mRNAs. MiRISCs compete for mRNAs, and can work cooperatively to repress their translation in protein products. Therefore, the miRtargetome in a cell type or state, i.e. which miRNAs target which mRNAs, depends on the expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in it. In this presentation, I will describe an algorithm we developed to mimic miRISC competition and cooperation to predict miRtargetomes by cell types. I will also describe a series of biological consequences of miRNA-controlled protein output we derived by simulating the overexpression of single miRNAs in the K562 cell line. MiRNA levels vary in different cell types and states, including carcinomas. Understanding how miRNA levels affect protein output via miRtargetomes can thus explain how miRNA levels control cell differentiation and induce cancer development and progression.

Minimum qualifications
• Masters in bioinformatics or other relevant field, or B.Sc and >3 years of relevant work experience.
• Excellent programming (C, C++, or Java) and scripting (Perl or Python) skills under a UNIX/linux environment
• Solid analytical and statistical skills.
• Ability to multitask and keep track of several projects in parallel.
• Strong abilities for team work, both with other bioinformaticians and with biologists
Preferred qualifications
• Experience handling high-throughput DNA/RNA sequencing data
• Fluent in French and English

Application deadline: September 26th 2011

Funding is guaranteed for two years. This opportunity could lead to a permanent position at the Université de Sherbrooke. To apply formally, submit the following documents in PDF format:

1. A brief statement of research interests, qualifications and experience and why you feel you are a good candidate for this position.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. The names and contact details of at least two references willing to provide a confidential letter of recommendation upon request.

Please send applications and inquiries to Sébastien Rodrigue (sebastien.rodrigue[at]usherbrooke.ca) or Nicolas Gévry (nicolas.gévry[at]usherbrooke.ca).

Please visit the microsite to register or submit an abstract

Once again, MonBUG will be hosting its biennal Bioinformatics Symposium at IRCM.
Here is the current tentative schedule for the meeting:
Please be aware that ordering of the speakers is still subject to change

Download the symposium poster

Proud Symposium Sponsors:

Once again, MonBUG will be hosting its biennal Bioinformatics Symposium at IRCM. The DevTeam is currently hard at work putting the conference together and we expect turnout to be as good as the 2009 edition which was a tremendous success.

The selected format will again be a one-day symposium featuring invited and local speakers as well as student speakers selected on the basis of the quality of their presented posters.

Stay tuned as registration and abstract/poster submission will be opening in the coming months !

Description:
We seek a bioinformatician to contribute to various analysis pipelines associated with ultrahigh-throughput DNA sequencing instruments including but not limited to ABI SOLiD, Illumina HiSeq200. Research applications utilizing these platforms include exome sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) in a cancer genomics context. Responsibilities will include using in-house and third party software and algorithms to take sequence output and conduct specialized downstream bioinformatics analyses, and working closely with other members of the bioinformatics and sequencing teams to develop bioinformatics solutions for the analysis of complex large-scale datasets, particularly in the context of cancer.
Candidates should have a minimum of a MSc in Computer science, bioinformatics or a related area (or BSc with 3+ years of work experience). Applicants with computing skills and a strong interest in biological problems from a numerate discipline (engineering, physics, mathematics, biophysics) are also encouraged to apply. Candidates should have expertise in Unix/Linux operating systems, be skilled in the use of MySQL databases and have strong knowledge of programming and scripting languages like Perl, Python, Java, C++. Knowledge of statistical analysis languages such as R is a plus.

This promises to be an exciting and challenging role with the opportunity to work with the latest sequencing technology in an academic research environment.

Application deadline :
Applications will be reviewed immediately and continue until the job is filled

Contact :
Interested candidates may send a letter of interest and CV including names and addresses of referees to :
Dr. Jasmine Healy at jasmine.healy[at]umontreal.ca

MonBUG is proud to host its first Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Jamboree at the Leacock building (room 232) at McGill university. Several groups from around the Montreal area will have short presentations about their current NGS projects followed by a working group discussion highlighting current bottle necks (technical or bioinformatic) across various technologies. The meeting and discussions will be very informal and all are welcome to attend and participate, learn, question, etc.

Refreshments will be served as usual!