The main motivation for the establishment of the Center is the perception that very few theoreticians are developing methods of genetic data analysis in China, even though Chinese experimental biologists are very experienced at generating large quantities of data.  Traditionally subject areas such as population genetics, molecular evolution, and molecular phylogenetics have made extensive use of probability and statistics, many times driving the development or novel methodologies and algorithms in computational statistics.  The rapid accumulation of genetic data in the genomic era has made the need for methodological studies even more acute.

The Center will cover all subject areas where statistical methods and computational algorithms are applied to analyze genetic and genomic data. Examples include sequence analysis (pattern matching, similarity search, molecular evolution, molecular phylogenetics and population genetics), inference of gene/protein interaction networks, association studies to identify disease genes, etc.  We emphasize statistical properties of analytical methods in addition to computational speed, and encourage work that involves probabilistic modelling.

The Center will initially be virtual.  In the long run, we expect to make a few permanent appointments in the Center if/when suitable candidates can be identified.  An important function of the Center is to organize seminars, discussion meetings and workshops.

Scientists in the Beijing area with relevant interests are invited to join the Center to become associate members.

Publications from the Center:

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