261-5112-00L Algorithms and Data Structures for Population Scale Genomics (Autumn 2020)

Abstract
Research in Biology and Medicine have been transformed into disciplines of applied data science over the past years. Not only size and inherent complexity of the data but also requirements on data privacy and complexity of search and access pose a wealth of new research questions.

Objective
This interactive course will explore the latest research on algorithms and data structures for population scale genomics applications and give insights into both the technical basis as well as the domain questions motivating it.

Content
Over the duration of the semester, the course will cover three main topics. Each of the topics will consist of 70-80% lecture content and 20-30% seminar content.

1) Algorithms and data structures for text and graph compression. Motivated through applications in compressive genomics, the course will cover succinct indexing schemes for strings, trees and general graphs, compression schemes for binary matrices as well as the efficient representation of haplotypes and genomic variants.

2) Stochastic data structures and algorithms for approximate representation of strings and graphs as well as sets in general. This includes winnowing schemes and minimizers, sketching techniques, (minimal perfect) hashing and approximate membership query data structures.

3) Data structures supporting encryption and data privacy. As an extension to data structures discussed in the earlier topics, this will include secure indexing using homomorphic encryption as well as design for secure storage and distribution of data.

Prerequisites / Notice
Data Structures & Algorithms

Location

The lecture is scheduled to be held at ETH in HG D 3.2 (link to location). Wednesdays 14-16. This room will allow for the appropriate distancing measures in compliance with the Corona pandemic measures. The lecture will be recorded and made available online in the ETH videoportal.

Course Overview