Our Bioinformatics Research Group at the University of Malta is made up of a team of scientists, researchers, and analysts working collaboratively to apply computational and statistical methods to biological and biomedical data. Our primary goal is to gain insights into biological processes, diseases, and genetic variations through the analysis and interpretation of large-scale biological data. Some key activities that a bioinformatics research group may engage in:

• Data Analysis – One of the primary tasks of our group is to analyze large datasets from various biological experiments, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. This involves using computational tools and algorithms to process, clean, and interpret the data.
• Algorithm Development – Developing novel algorithms and computational methods is a crucial activity in bioinformatics. Researchers in the group work on creating specialized tools to address specific biological questions, such as identifying disease-associated genetic variants or predicting protein-protein interactions.
• Genome Assembly and Annotation – Our group has vast experience in genome sequencing projects, where we assemble and annotate the DNA sequences of different organisms. This work contributes to understanding the genetic basis of traits and diseases in various species.
• Structural Bioinformatics – Studying the three-dimensional structures of proteins and other biomolecules is essential for understanding their functions and interactions. The group uses computational methods to predict and analyze protein structures.
• Pathway and Network Analysis – Our group often analyzes biological pathways and gene regulatory networks to understand how different molecules interact and influence cellular processes. This information helps uncover the underlying mechanisms of diseases and biological functions.
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence – Applying machine learning and AI techniques is becoming increasingly important in bioinformatics. We these methods to classify diseases, predict protein functions, drug discovery, or interpret large-scale omics data.
• Data Integration – Integrating diverse types of biological data from various sources is crucial for comprehensive analyses. We work on methods to combine and harmonize data to get a more holistic view of biological processes.
• Software and Database Development – We often develop software tools, databases, and web servers to make their methods and findings accessible to the broader scientific community.
• Collaboration with Biologists and Clinicians – Effective collaboration between bioinformaticians and experimental biologists/clinicians is vital to ensure that the computational findings are validated in the laboratory and have practical implications for medicine and biology. We maximize on our strong ties and collaborations with the national hospital, Mater Dei.
• Literature Review and Knowledge Dissemination – Staying up-to-date with the latest research and advancements in the field is essential. The group regularly conducts literature reviews and disseminate our findings through scientific publications and presentations at conferences.
• Grant applications – We are fairly successful in EU and national grant applications, for the advancement of the Bioinformatics field in Malta. We are always seeking local and international collaborators to set up projects with. If interested, get in touch via the Contact Us page. 

Overall, the activities of our bioinformatics research group are highly diverse, interdisciplinary, and focused on extracting meaningful insights from biological data using computational approaches.