Bayesian modelling for matching and alignment of biomolecules

Abstract

This article describes Bayesian modelling for matching and alignment of biomolecules. One particular task where statistical modelling and inference can be useful in scientific understanding of protein structure is that of matching and alignment of two or more proteins. In this regard, statistical shape analysis potentially has something to offer in solving biomolecule matching and alignment problems. The article discusses the use of Bayesian methods for shape analysis to assist with understanding the three-dimensional structure of protein molecules, with a focus on the problem of matching instances of the same structure in the CoMFA (Comparative Molecular Field Analysis) database of steroid molecules. It introduces a Bayesian hierarchical model for pairwise matching and for alignment of multiple configurations before concluding with an overview of some advantages of the Bayesian approach to problems in protein bioinformatics, along with modelling and computation issues, alternative approaches, and directions for future research.