2017 Microbiome Summer School
Well-being, Health and Biomedical Discovery
Deadlines
Academic Unit:
Memorial Deadline:
External Deadline: Friday 24th, March 2017
Description
2017 Microbiome Summer School: Big Data Analytics for Omics Science
June 18-22, 2017, Québec City
Bioinformatics has become an important part of many areas of life and health research. Several fields of research such as microbiome, cancer, immunology and clinical research are generating massive amounts of data that need appropriate computational tools for their analysis and interpretation. Moreover, a need for bioinformatics training is more pressing than ever as big data are more and more present in health research.
In order to meet this need in the Canadian health research space, CIHR, the Université Laval Big Data Research Center (BDRC-UL) in cooperation with the Canadian Bioinformatics Workshop series (hosted at bioinformatics.ca) are organizing a summer school in bioinformatics centered on the microbiome.
The 2017 Microbiome Summer School is a collaboration between a number of partners and sponsors, all of which contributing to make this course a success. Partners and sponsors include Calcul Québec, the Canada Excellence Research Chair on microbiome, Université Laval, as well as multiple CIHR Institutes such as the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health, and the Institute of Infection and Immunity.
Objectives
The primary objective of this summer school is to meet the needs in bioinformatic training for the Canadian microbiome research community through introductory “state-of-the-art” bioinformatic courses. Machine learning approaches will be incorporated.
The secondary objectives include:
• Provide a nexus for informatics and bioinformatic students to interface to address the big data challenges associated with metagenomics studies.
• Assemble multiple genomes, map short-read data to sequenced genomes and query the mapping for variation using machine learning algorithms, transcript prevalence (from RNA-Seq data), and compare microbiome using software tools.
• Transferring large data sets between computers;
• Running extended analyses while asleep;
• Executing and modifying existing Python and R scripts;
• Make effective use of basic computational resources such as Compute Canada, through Calcul Québec, the non-profit organization in charge of coordinating Advanced Research Computing efforts throughout Canada.
Target audience
This course is aimed at individuals intending to or working in microbiome research with a biomedical/health perspective who want to gain experience in bioinformatics. Applicants are expected to be embarking on bioinformatics related projects or need to use such approaches in their work. We expect a mix of bioinformatic and informatic researchers.
Eligible applicants are:
• Trainees (master, Ph.D., post-doctoral students);
• Lab managers;
• Independent researchers (depending on application pressure, preference will be for early career investigators);
• Bioinformatician and informatician wanting to gain expertise in microbiome methodologies and big data analytics related to microbiome research.
How to apply
Applications will be received via the website, applicants will fill the requirements for their application to be assessed by the selection committee. Successful applicants will be contacted (see timeline) and asked to register to the event.
Timeline
Submission of candidature: March 24, 2017
Notification of decision: April 12, 2017
Registration: April 21, 2017
For more information on how to apply, selection criteria and details of the event, please consult the 2017 Microbiome Summer School: Big Data Analytics for Omics Science website.