Decode Evolution: A Practical MEGA Bootcamp from Sequences to Phylogeny
Master the blueprint of life through advanced bioinformatics and computational evolutionary biology. Bridge the gap from raw genomic sequences to complex phylogenetic insights using cutting-edge AI-driven analysis.
Course Description
Unlock the secrets of the tree of life in this intensive, hands-on bootcamp designed for the next generation of computational biologists. This course provides a comprehensive deep dive into molecular evolution, moving beyond theory into high-performance sequence alignment and phylogenetic reconstruction. You will leverage AI-powered bioinformatics tools and machine learning algorithms to interpret genetic variations and evolutionary trajectories. From handling large-scale genomic datasets to mastering Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood methods, this MEGA bootcamp covers it all. By integrating Python for bioinformatics and automated pipelines, you will learn to visualize evolutionary relationships with professional-grade precision. Whether you are analyzing viral outbreaks or ancestral lineages, this course equips you with the technical prowess to turn raw data into biological discovery.
What You'll Learn
Executing global and local sequence alignment using advanced algorithms like Smith-Waterman and Needleman-Wunsch.
Building and interpreting complex phylogenetic trees using distance-based and character-based methods.
Utilizing AI algorithms to predict evolutionary patterns and structural genomic changes.
Mastering professional software suites such as MEGA, RAxML, and Biopython.
Applying statistical models (Jukes-Cantor, Kimura) to estimate genetic distances and substitution rates.
Curriculum
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1. Introduction to MEGA & Molecular Evolution
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2. Biological Databases & Sequence Retrieval
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3. Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA)
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4. Phylogenetic Tree Construction
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5. Bootstrap & Tree Interpretation
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