Publications

Peer-reviewed papers

• Zhang C, Fitzpatrick R, Barker D (2025) Game-based learning to improve understanding of point mutations at secondary school level. Journal of Biological Education, https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2025.2574583.
• Bain SA, Meagher TR, Barker D (2022) Design, delivery and evaluation of a bioinformatics education workshop for 13-16-year-olds. Journal of Biological Education, 56, 570-580.
• Bain SA, Plaisier H, Anderson F, Cook N, Crouch K, Meagher TR, Ritchie MG, Wallace EWJ, Barker D (2022) Bringing bioinformatics to schools with the 4273pi project. PLoS Computational Biology, 18, e1009705.
• Martin EJ, Meagher TR, Barker D (2021) Using sound to understand protein sequence data: new sonification algorithms for protein sequences and multiple sequence alignments. BMC Bioinformatics, 22, 456.
• Plasier H, Meagher TR, Barker D (2021) DNA sonification for public engagement in bioinformatics. BMC Research Notes, 14, 273.
• McGill SE, Barker D (2017) Comparison of the protein-coding genomes of three deep-sea, sulfur-oxidising bacteria: “Candidatus Ruthia magnifica”, “Candidatus Vesicomyosocius okutanii” and Thiomicrospira crunogena. BMC Research Notes, 10, 296.
• McDonagh JL, Barker D, Alderson RG (2016) Bringing computational science to the public. SpringerPlus, 5, 259.
• Barker D, Alderson RG, McDonagh JL, Plaisier H, Comrie MM, Duncan L, Muirhead GTP,  Sweeny SD (2015) University-level practical activities in bioinformatics benefit voluntary groups of pupils in the last 2 years of school. International Journal of STEM Education, 2, 17.
• Wreggelsworth KM, Barker D (2015) A comparison of the protein-coding genomes of two green sulphur bacteria, Chlorobium tepidum TLS and Pelodictyon phaeoclathratiforme BU-1. BMC Research Notes, 8, 565.
• Robson JF, Barker D (2015) Comparison of the protein-coding gene content of Chlamydia trachomatis and Protochlamydia amoebophila using a Raspberry Pi computer. BMC Research Notes, 8, 561.
• Barker D, Ferrier DEK, Holland PW, Mitchell JBO, Plaisier H, Ritchie MG, Smart SD (2013) 4273π : bioinformatics education on low cost ARM hardware. BMC Bioinformatics, 14, 243.

Practical Guides

• Bain SA, Barker D, Attwood TK and The GOBLET Foundation (2020) Bioinformatics: Food Detective – a Practical Guide [version 1; not peer reviewed]. F1000Research, 9, 628.
• Barker D, Plaisier H, Bain SA and Attwood TK (2019) Bioinformatics: the Power of Computers in Biology – a Practical Guide [version 1; not peer reviewed]. F1000Research, 8, 813.

Newsletters, magazines, blogs

• Bain SA (2022) Bioinformatics in Schools. Genetics Society News, Issue 86, p. 70. Also available as a Case Study.
• School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh (2022) Bringing bioinformatics to schools with the 4273pi project. News item, 21 January.
• Bain, SA, Barker D (2021) Bringing bioinformatics to schools. Hello World, Issue 16, pp. 30-31.
• Barker D, Korf I (2013) 4273π: a novel platform for bioinformatics education. Biome, 12 August. Available as a PDF print-out.