Genome Sequence Analysis - Asia

In collaboration with Khon Kaen University in Thailand, A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), National University of Singapore (NUS) and Philippine Genome Center, we are delighted to offer this free to attend course on application of bioinformatics tools and resources in the analysis of next generation sequence data.

High throughput sequencing has gained widespread adoption as an essential experimental assay for biological research. Analysing high throughput sequencing data involves an array of different bioinformatics tools and techniques. Therefore, it is important for experimental scientists to have the bioinformatics skills required to effectively assess and analyse data produced by next generation sequencing.

This course aims to provide a hands-on introduction to bioinformatics for next generation sequencing and to equip participants with the essential informatics skills and knowledge required to begin analysing next generation sequencing data and carry out some of the most common types of analysis.

Target Audience

The course is aimed at researchers or clinicians/ healthcare professionals actively engaged in or soon to commence work involving next generation sequencing data analysis.

Course Venue

This course will be held across four linked classrooms, one at Khon Kaen University in Thailand, one at A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), one at National University of Singapore (NUS) and one at  Philippine Genome Center .

Applicants will be assigned to the training site geographically closest to their current place of residence.

What will you be able to do?

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• Use the Linux command-line and advanced Linux commands for automating bioinformatics tasks
• Evaluate the results of QC analysis of high throughput sequencing data
• Understand the algorithmic concepts behind short read alignment and variant calling, and have practical experience of using relevant software
• Develop bioinformatics workflows

Programme

The hands-on programme will cover several aspects of genome sequence data analysis, including lectures, discussions and practical computational sessions covering the following:

• Introduction to sequencing technologies 
• Introduction to the Linux command line
• Linux for bioinformatics
• Genome sequencing data formats and tools
• Sequence alignment and QC
• SNP/indel theory and practical
• Structural variation theory and practical
• Sequencing data visualisation with the Integrated Genomics Viewer
• Genome assembly
• Bioinformatics workflow essentials
• Participant projects and presentations (final day)

*Please note: The practical sessions will be taught exclusively through Linux. Therefore, participants are required to have some familiarity with the Linux operating system. This will be essential for participants to fully benefit from the course. With this in mind, we will provide comprehensive pre-course material via our learning management system in the weeks immediately before the course. Additionally, there are numerous online introductory tutorials to the Linux operating system and command line, including:
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix
http://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/

The course should not be considered a complete education in the theoretical and mathematical foundations of the topics.

Scientific Organising Committee

Jacqueline Keane
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Thomas Keane
EMBL-EBI, UK

Arporn (Koi) Wangwiwatsin 
Khon Kaen University, Thailand

Adaikalavan Ramasamy
Genome Institute of Singapore

Jaishree Tripathi
University of Singapore

Carlo Lapid
Philippine Genome Center

Wellcome Connecting Science team

Monica Abrudan
Wellcome Connecting Science

Martin Aslett
Wellcome Connecting Science

Vaishnavi Gangadhar
Wellcome Connecting Science

Karon Chappell
Wellcome Connecting Science

Alice Matimba 
Wellcome Connecting Science

Prerequisites

This course is open to applicants from Asia. Applicants should be postdoctoral scientists, PhD students, junior faculty members or clinicians/ healthcare professionals actively engaged in or soon to commence research involving next generation sequencing data analysis. The course will be taught in English.

How to Apply

1. Start your application 
   • Click on the “Apply” button above to start your application. Please note that places are limited and will be awarded based on merit.
2. Demonstrate the course’s relevance to your work
   
   • Our courses are in high demand. Please provide an outline of your work (research project(s) and/ or clinical/ healthcare activities). It is essential to clearly explain how the skills you will acquire from the course are directly relevant to your current role and beneficial to your work, research, or organisation. Preference will be given to applicants who have genomic sequence data to analyse.
3. Letter of recommendation
   • Applications must be supported by a letter of recommendation from a sponsor or professional referee such as supervisor, line manager, or head of department. The statement should be tailored to indicate their  support of your application and how the course could be of benefit. This statement must be uploaded as a PDF document to the online registration system by the application deadline. Applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.
4. Need Help?
   • If you have any questions or encounter any problems with the online application process, please contact us for assistance.

Cost

The course is funded by Wellcome Connecting Science and is free to attend.

Bursaries

We are unable to provide bursaries for travel and accommodation for this course.