Summer School in Bioinformatics

This popular computational course is run jointly with EMBL-EBI and will
provide an introduction to the use of bioinformatics in biological
research using publicly available data resources and tools.

Participants will take part in a group project to conduct bioinformatics
based research and explore biological questions. The programme includes
discussions on the applications of bioinformatics in biological research
and practical examples on how to browse, search, and retrieve biological
data from public repositories. The group work will culminate in a
presentation session involving all participants on the final day of the
course, giving an opportunity for wider discussion on the benefits and
challenges of working with biological data.

This course is aimed at individuals working across biological sciences
who have little or no experience in bioinformatics. Applicants are
expected to be at an early stage of using bioinformatics in their
research with the need to develop their skills and knowledge further. No
previous knowledge of programming / coding is required for this course.

Please note: The course will not cover aspects of computer programming or in-depth data analysis; there will be no opportunity for you to analyse your own data during this course.

Learning outcomes
Following course completion participants should be able to:
– Discuss applications of bioinformatics in biological research
– Browse, search, and retrieve biological data from public
repositories
– Use appropriate bioinformatics tools to explore biological data
– Comprehend some ways biological data can be stored, organised and
interconverted

The Summer School in Bioinformatics 2017 will start at approximately
10.00 on Monday 26 June and close at approximately 15.30 on Friday 30
June 2017.

The draft programme is available here.

This is a residential summer school. All students are requested to stay
onsite for the full duration to benefit fully from discussions and
interactions with the faculty and other students. The programme will
include training and mentoring provided by experts from EMBL-EBI and
external institutes.

Group projects
Participants will be divided into focused groups to work on a small
project set by EMBL-EBI resource and research staff, ending in a
presentation from each group on the final day of the course. In your
application you should indicate which of the following projects would
most benefit your research:

• Structural biology and functional prediction
• De novo assembly and annotation
• Networks and pathways
• Phylogenetics
• Metabolomics
• Genomic variation project
• Chemogenomics

Download the summary of the projects on offer
this year here.

Note: In your application you should indicate your first
and second choice of project, based on your judgement of which would
benefit your research most.  Not all projects may be offered, final
decisions on which projects will be run during the course will be made
based on the number of applicants per project.

Lead
instructors
Melissa Burke EMBL-EBI, UK
Laura Emery EMBL-EBI, UK
Zamin Iqbal EMBL-EBI, UK
Sarah Morgan EMBL-EBI, UK
Bill Pearson University of Virginia, USA

Keynote speakers
Zamin Iqbal EMBL-EBI, UK
Evangelia Petsalaki EMBL-EBI, UK

Confirmed speakers and tutors
Alex Bateman EMBL-EBI, UK
Amy Tang EMBL-EBI, UK
Denise Carvalho-Silva Open Targets, UK
Yasset Perez-Riverol EMBL-EBI, UK
Pablo Porras EMBL-EBI, UK

Event organiser
Lucy Criddle Wellcome Genome Campus, UK

Fees

The fees include accommodation, meals and lectures for the duration of the Bioinformatics Summer School 2016. The fee will be requested once acceptance is confirmed.

Accommodation
This is a residential summer school. All participants will stay at The Wellcome Genome Campus Conference Centre, Hinxton, Cambridge, for the nights of 26, 27, 28 and 29 June 2017.

If you wish to book onsite accommodation either side of the summer school/course dates, please contact the Conference Centre directly.

Applications
Application deadline: 14 March

Places on this summer school are limited to 30 students and will
be awarded on merit. Applicants should be PhD students currently engaged
in relevant research and will be required to complete an online
application form. The selection process will take place in
March 2017.

The following will need to be provided:

• Qualifications and justification for attendance
• A list of relevant publications
• A scientific outline of current research
• Supervisor’s details: your supervisor will then receive an e-mail requesting a supporting statement to complete your application.

Please note: Applications cannot be considered without a supervisor’s supporting statement.

Travel visas
Please contact the event organiser if you require a letter to support a travel visa application, once your application has been successful. Note that letters will be provided to confirmed attendee only.

Non-European Economic Area or Swiss nationals may be required to have a
visa to enter the UK.
Early application is strongly advised, as this process can take 6-8 weeks
or longer.

Please visit the following websites for further information:
UK Border Agency website and information for general visitors and business
visitors.

A limited number of registration bursaries are available to attend this course (up to 50% of the fee).
The following documents will need to be provided:

• CV
• Covering letter

To apply, please contact the event organiser.

Bursary deadline: CLOSED