Introduction to computational molecular biology

by João Carlos Setubal

The exploding number and complexity of problems faced by DNA researchers and scientists have driven the application of mathematical and computer science in molecular biology. This textbook provides an introduction to computational molecular biology, a sampling of representative problems, and examples of efficient algorithms that have been proposed to solve them. Illuminating each problem is a discussion of its biological background, definition of key terms, a complete description of the mathematical or computer science model used, and a sample of algorithmic results. As a result, this book serves as a valuable resource for computer scientists and mathematicians seeking to improve their understanding of molecular biology and its computational aspects, for students taking a course on the subject, and for researchers looking for a broad overview of this exciting new field, where many algorithmic problems still lay unexplored.