Big Data

BIG DATA IS AT THE CORE OF COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY

Big Data translates into careers in the field of computational biology as well.

In this field, biologists use computer programming and algorithms to analyze biological data, particularly DNA sequencing. This information can improve medicine or find a cure for diseases like cancer.

Bobby Keskey ’11 knows the importance of the field when it comes to answering the complex questions that may improve human health.

Keskey is in his general surgery residency at the University of Chicago and is currently conducting microbiome research for his Ph.D. in immunology.

Although he graduated with a degree in biochemistry, it was his seat in Dr. Stuart Gordon’s bioinformatics course that started his path to high-level research.

“For me, it was definitely a predecessor tool that I continue to use in my research today, and something that I think is pretty valuable and an introduction into a field that I think has really grown in probably the past five years or so,” Keskey said.

The PC alumnus perked up when he heard of the College’s new computational biology major. As part of the UChicago biological science graduate school orientation, he was flown to Massachusetts to visit the Marine Biology Lab for a week-long intensive course into computational biology and data analysis.

“Anyone who wants to do any kind of biological research these days needs to have some familiarity with computational biology,” he said. “It’s a reflection of where the field of science is headed: Everything’s Big Data and you need computers and software to interpret that Big Data. So having the ability to use those tools to interpret the data yourself really allows you to do successful research.”

Keskey’s work involves examining a community of bacteria living within the intestines. Hundreds of millions of different species of bacteria are present at any given time, which researchers have been able to recognize through the development of sequencing technology.

“Different algorithms that fall under computational biology allow researchers to interpret and understand what these different communities of bacteria mean,” he said.

In Keskey’s case, this can help in understanding how surgical patients recover after infection, how they recover after surgery and how these bacteria are changing.

“Without the field of computational biology, I wouldn’t be able to truly interpret the vast amount of information that we’re able to get on these bacteria.”

Keskey is glad he has enough biological background to take on data analysis, and he’s grateful that it began at PC.

“I think computational biology makes the job easier, and it makes the interpretation of the data a little bit smoother and easier to understand,” he said.

He still emails his former professors at PC, like Gordon, about his work. He can quickly recall the classes he fondly remembers — inside and outside of the Biology Department — genetics, immunology, organic chemistry, as well as the faculty who taught him: Dr. Stuart Gordon, Dr. Ron Zimmerman, Dr. Walter Ott and Dr. Latha Gearheart.

“I could probably go on about every professor I had, and I gained something from those classes,” he said. “It’s really not one particular class or professor that I think shaped where I am today academically but more my experience in general.”

Keskey graduated from medical school at the University of

Louisville with honors, and he’s published numerous papers. It all began, he says, in the small-classroom environment. The direct interaction with professors at PC made him think critically, so he understood concepts from a biological standpoint. And the smaller laboratory experience helped him better learn the techniques he’s currently practicing.

“I’ve been at bigger universities … My peers learned the same information, but a lot of the times, the way we thought about stuff at PC was a little different,” Keskey said. “I think a lot of that is due to the ability to engage with professors who are genuinely interested in teaching the material and also forcing you to think about the material and actually apply it.”•