Bioinformatics--the application of computational and analytical methods to biological problems--is a rapidly evolving scientific discipline. As a result of advances in gene sequencing, biological databases are growing exponentially. It's impossible for even the most zealous researcher to stay on top of necessary information in the field without the aid of computer-based tools. Written in a clear, engaging style, Developing Bioinformatics Computer Skills is for scientists and students who are learning computational approaches to biology, as well as for experienced biology researchers who are just starting to use computers to handle their data. The book covers the Unix file system, building tools and databases for bioinformatics, computational approaches to biological problems, an introduction to Perl for bioinformatics,data mining, data visualization, and tips for tailoring existing data analysis software to individual research needs. Developing Bioinformatics Computer Skills will help biologists develop a structured approach to biological data as well as the tools they'll need to analyze it.