Course code InfT3014
Credit points 3
Discrete Biosystems
Total Hours in Course81
Number of hours for lectures16
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16
Independent study hours49
Date of course confirmation12.01.2016
Responsible UnitInstitute of Computer Systems and Data Science
Course developer
Egils Stalidzāns
Dr. sc. ing.
Course abstract
Computer systems are based on discrete events – operations with information units. Discreteness of biological systems is accented in several discrete molecular events within the cell as a part of cellular metabolism, communication and signalling. Opportunities of transfer of biosystem’s information processing principles to computer technologies as well as applications of biosystems in computational or data storage tasks are discussed.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
• Knowledge similarities of data processing and storage solutions between biological and computational systems;
• skills to assess the similarities of information processing process independently on the peculiarities of execution mechanisms;
• competence to adapt biologically operating principles of data processing for tackling of computational tasks, develop their mathematical description.
Compulsory reading
1. Forbes N., Imitation of Life. How biology is inspiring computing. Massachusets: MIT Press Cambridge, 2005.
2. Selga T., Šūnu bioloģija. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 2008. 343 lpp.
3. Palsson B.O. Systems Biology: Properties of Reconstructed networks. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
4. Wagner A., Robustness and Evolvability in Living Systems Princeton University Press, 2005.
Further reading
1. Szallasi Z., Stelling J., Periwal V. System Modelling in Cell Biology from concepts to nuts and bolts, MIT Press, 2006.
2. Kratz R.F. Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies. Wiley Publishing Inc.