The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), a division of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, hosts approximately 40 online literature and molecular biology databases. Please join us for two in-depth webinar sessions taught by Dr. Peter Cooper, Staff Scientist at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Co-sponsored by the Library and Office of Research. Many thanks to The University of Michigan’s Taubman Health Sciences Library for providing us with this opportunity. 

Target Audience

Faculty and scientists from DMU and other Iowa universities. 

Purpose

This workshop highlights important features and demonstrates the practical aspects of using the NCBI BLAST service, the most popular sequence similarity service in the world. You will learn about useful but under-used features of the service. These include access from the Entrez sequence databases; the new genome BLAST service quick finder; the integration and expansion of Align-2- Sequences; organism limits and other filters; re-organized databases; formatting options and downloading options; and TreeView displays. 

You will also learn how to use other important sequence analysis services associated with BLAST including Primer BLAST, an oligonucleotide primer designer and specificity checker; the multiple protein sequence alignment tool, COBALT; and MOLE-BLAST, a new tool for clustering and providing taxonomic context for targeted loci sequences (16S, ITS, 28S). These aspects of BLAST provide easier access and results that are more comprehensive and easier to interpret.

Speaker

Peter Cooper, PhD
Staff Scientist, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)

Dr. Cooper directs the scientific outreach and training program for the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Library of Medicine. Dr. Cooper has
conducted and developed training courses for biologists in the use of NBCI molecular databases and has provided scientific user support for the NCBI since 1998. Prior to joining the NCBI, Dr. Cooper pursued diverse biological research interests including peptide neurochemistry, marine environmental toxicology, and taught biology and chemistry. Dr. Cooper earned a BS from Virginia Tech, a MA in chemistry from the Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in Marine Science from the College of William and Mary, School of Marine Science in 1996.

Dr. Coper indicated he has no financial relationships to disclose relevant to the content of this CME activity.

Educational Grants

No commercial interest provided financial support for this continuing education activity.

Continuing Education Credit

• MD: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS). Des Moines University (DMU) is accredited by the IMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this live activity for 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
• DPM: Des Moines University (DMU) is approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education as a provider of continuing education in podiatric medicine. DMU has approved this activity for a maximum of 3.0 continuing education contact hours.
• DO: Des Moines University (DMU) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this program for a maximum of 3.0 AOA Category 2-A credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.
• Other Health Providers: This live activity is designated for 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.