This site was created as an introductory online Crop Bioinformatics course intended for scientists with a sensible background in germplasm, biology and genetics, together with a working knowledge of their application to plant and agricultural sciences. The course is designed to take about two weeks to complete by self study.

 The site is named in honor of the Nobel prize winning crop geneticist, Barbara McClintock.  Development of this resource was funded by the Generation Challenge Programme Subprogramme 5.

The e-learning environment

The aim of this Bioinformatics tutorial course is to:

1. provide a learning experience different than in the traditional classroom
2. communicate via computer and world wide web
3. allow vibrant participation through virtual interaction

Goals

• This two-week online course is designed to provide introductory information on Crop Bioinformatics and to demonstrate the ways in which basic Bioinformatics tools, techniques and resources can help molecular biologists, geneticists and scientists, in general, manage sequencing projects.

• The aim is not to give a thorough and extensive review of Bioinformatics, but rather to give sufficient background to safely use an appropriate range of analyses on molecular biology and biochemistry.

Bioinformatics

• Bioinformatics is a young discipline, bridging the life and computer sciences. It maintains close interactions with life sciences and applies principles of information sciences and technologies to make the vast, diverse, and complex life sciences data more understandable and useful.