Qian Cong

My scientific ambition is to uncover the genetic bases of phenotypic traits and human diseases using a combination of large-scale data, evolutionary perspective, statistical and Deep Learning methods followed by experimental validation. Specific research directions include: • Development of algorithms and Deep Learning methods for the analysis of proteins and prediction of protein spatial structures, interactions and functions; • Using coevolution and Deep Learning approaches to learn about protein-protein interactions in human pathogens and humans, especially for cancer drivers and other disease-causing proteins; • Analysis and prediction of phenotypic mutations with the emphasis on protein-coding genes and cancer-driving somatic mutations or disease-causing variants; • Computational analyses of protein families and available genomes to generate hypotheses about molecular and cellular functions, biological structures, regulatory mechanisms and relevance to cancers and other diseases; • Comparative analyses of newly sequenced genomes to reveal genetic determinants of unique phenotypic traits.