This book introduces some key problems in bioinformatics, discusses the
models used to formally describe these problems, and analyzes the
algorithmic approaches used to solve them. After introducing the basics
of molecular biology and algorithmics, the book explains string
algorithms and alignments. It next details the field of physical mapping
and DNA sequencing and examines the application of algorithmics to the
analysis of biological data. The book features exciting application
examples, such as predicting the spatial structure of proteins, and
computing haplotypes from genotype data. This book describes topics in
detail and presents formal models in a mathematically precise, yet
intuitive manner, with many figures and chapter summaries, detailed
derivations, and examples. It is well suited as an introduction into the
field of bioinformatics, and will benefit students and lecturers in
bioinformatics and algorithmics, while also offering practitioners an
update on current research topics.