Summer School in Bioinformatics

This popular computational course, run jointly with EMBL-EBI, provides an
introduction to the use of bioinformatics in biological research.
Participants will gain hands-on training in the tools and resources
appropriate to their research.

The programme will focus on bioinformatics theory and practice, including
best practices for undertaking bioinformatics analysis, data management
and reproducibility. Participants will also 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, providing an opportunity for
wider discussion on the benefits and challenges of working with
biological data. Groups are mentored by the trainers who set the initial
challenge, but active participation from all group members is expected.

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 course will start at approximately 10.00 on Monday 25 June and close
at approximately 15.30 on Friday 29 June 2018.

During this course you will learn about:

• Bioinformatics as a science
• Designing bioinformatics studies
• Data management and reproducibility
• Basic tools and resources for bioinformatics

Group projects
Participants will be divided into focused groups to work on a small
project. In your application you should indicate which of the following
projects would most benefit your research:

• Proteomics (data analysis and functional interpretation)
• Networks and pathways
• Wrangling structural data
• Functional annotation of proteins
• Phylogenetics
• Analysis of pathways in metabolic networks
• Curation of systems models in BioModels

This is a residential course. All students are requested to stay onsite
for the full duration to benefit fully from discussions and interactions
with the faculty and other students.

A draft
programme is available.

Scientific programme committee
Andrew Cowley EMBL-EBI, UK
Alexandra Holinski EMBL-EBI, UK
Zamin Iqbal EMBL-EBI, UK
Sarah Morgan EMBL-EBI, UK
Bill Pearson University of Virginia, USA

Keynote speaker
Matthew Berriman Wellcome Sanger Instititute, UK
Velislava Petrova Wellcome Sanger Instititute, UK

Confirmed speakers
Alex Bateman EMBL-EBI, UK
Melissa Burke EMBL-EBI, UK
Nikiforos Karamanis EMBL-EBI, UK
Lee Larcombe NexaSTEM, 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 course. The fee will be requested once acceptance is confirmed.

Accommodation
This is a residential course. All participants will stay at The Wellcome
Genome Campus Conference Centre, Hinxton, Cambridge, for the nights of
25, 26, 27 and 28 June 2018.

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

Applications
Application deadline: Closed

Places on this course 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 2018.

In your application you should indicate which of the group projects would
most benefit your research.

The following will also need to be provided:

• Qualifications and justification for attendance
• An 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. Note that letters will be provided to confirmed
attendees.

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:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/
Information for general visitors and business visitors:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/business/business-activities/

A limited number of registration bursaries are
available for PhD students to attend this course (up to 50% of the
fee).

The following documents will need to be provided:

• CV
• Covering letter
• Letter from supervisor

To apply, please contact the event organiser.

Bursary deadline: Closed