Bioinformatics and Data Science of Pandemics

Many aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic have their foundation in modern bioinformatics and data science. While related concepts notoriously appear in the popular media and literature, sufficiently deep explanations are rarely provided. In this seminar, we will discuss papers that refer to driving issues of modern pandemics outbreak and control. Exemplary topics are PCR Testing, Fatality Rates, Infection Dynamics (Reproductive Number, Curve Fitting), mRNA Vaccines (“Software Vaccines”), Evolution of Viruses (Mutation Rates etc), Tracing (via Virus Genome Sequencing). Participants will choose selected papers, provide brief presentations, and write summaries of the topics treated. Depending on numbers of participants, participants are supposed to work in groups.

1. We need to agree on a weekly time slot for the seminar. Please fill in the following Doodle for that
   Evaluating the Doodle led to Monday, 16-18 as the slot to do the seminar
2. The first seminar will run in the first week of May, at the time slot we agreed on on May 10th. We will provide an introduction, distribute related materials (papers, tutorials), and communicate further schedules.
3. To be prepared, it is preferable to form groups of two people. These groups are supposed to do presentations together.
4. Homework, as required for modules 39-Inf-AB and 39-Inf-SAB_a in form of a report of 8-15 pages reflecting on the topics covered in the presentation, needs to be provided individually, even though reports may overlap in terms of contents.

• Primer design for quantitative real-time PCR for the emerging Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: Li et al., Theranostics, 2020