African Genomics Data Hub collaboration with H3ABioNet aim to host the 10th iteration of Introduction to Bioinformatics (IBT). This introductory course, IBT, provides an introduction to the field of bioinformatics, with a focus on important bioinformatic tools and resources. Over a period of 3 months of intensive biweekly contact sessions, the course combines theoretical and practical sessions to allow participants to gain practical experience in using various tools and resources. During contact sessions, classrooms meet virtually to discuss the session’s content with each other and the trainer.
Introduction to Bioinformatics 2025
Keywords: Genetics, Genomics, Nucleic acids analysis
Skill level of training: Beginner
Language: English
Credential awarded: Letter of completion
Type of training: Blended
Venue
Local classrooms ( usually ~50 physical/online sites across Africa).
Date(s) of training: 15 April 2025 - 15 July 2025
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 CAT to 14:30 CAT.
Organisers:
Sindiswa Lukhele, Tshinakaho Malesa, Shaun Aron, Sumir Panji, Suresh Maslamoney, Nicola Mulder
Registration for classrooms opens: 17 January 2025
Registration for classrooms closes: 12 December 2025
Link to classroom application form: Too open soon
Notification date for successful classrooms: 3 February 2025
Maximum number of participants: 40
Registration for participants opens: 17 January 2025
Registration for participants closes: 21 March 2025
Application instructions:
Participants must select a classroom within their region and that they are able to attend physically should that classroom choose to go ahead as a face-to-face classroom. Please be sure to adhere to this as selecting a classroom outside of your region/location may result in your application being rejected. Please also be aware that applying for the course does not guarantee entry - you will undergo a formal selection process.
Sponsors:
AfriGen-D + Local classrooms
Intended Audience:
The course is aimed at individuals from a molecular biology background who have a basic understanding of biochemistry and/or genetics and would like to become bioinformatics users. For an explanation on who 'bioinformatics users' might be, see Figure 2 in http://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003496. A baseline level of the understanding of the central dogma of biology (DNA -> RNA -> Protein) is a requirement.
Syllabus and Tools:
The course curriculum will cover the following main themes (subject to slight changes):
Bioinformatics resources and databases
Introduction to bioinformatics, biological databases and resources (NCBI and EBI), data formats, ontologies
Linux
Introduction to Linux, general overview of Linux environment, overview of command line interface, navigating Linux directory structure, manipulating files and directories, basic Linux commands
Sequence alignment theory and applications
Introduction to searching and sequence alignment, BLAST, pairwise sequence alignment
Multiple sequence alignment (MSA)
MSA theory, generating and interpreting MSAs using various tools, visualising and assessing MSA quality
Molecular evolution and phylogenetics
Molecular evolution, phylogenetic approaches and methods (Introduction and overview of methods)
Genomics
Overview of sequencing and annotation, Ensembl genome browser, Genetic variation, HapMap, 1000 genomes
**All modules make use of predominantly web-based tools such as NCBI, genome browsers, etc.
Licensing for course materials:
The default licensing attached to any workshop and materials will be a creative commons license. Please do specify if a different license is required or whether materials will not be available publicly. If materials cannot be linked to our website, please specify a contact person in order to gain access to materials in future.
Prerequisites:
A basic background/understanding of biochemistry and/or genetics.
Learning outcomes:
- Explain the use of bioinformatics
- Name the key bioinformatics techniques and tools
- Locate important biological databases and retrieve data
- Use selected tools effectively to run specific bioinformatics analyses
- Understand the strengths and limitations of the various techniques
Limitations:
This course will only provide a foundation for continued learning in bioinformatics and will not teach any advanced coding.
For more information on IBT, please visit https://www.h3abionet.org/training/ibt
Programme:
Modules | Dates | Time | Topics |
Staff orientation | 15 April – 17 April | 10h00 am -14h30 pm CAT |
|
Participant orientation | 22 April | ||
Introduction to Bioinformatics | 24 April | What is Bioinformatics and why it is important? | |
Module 1 | 29 April – 8 May | ||
Module 2 | 13 May -22 May | Linux | |
Module 3 | 27 May – 03 June | Sequence alignment | |
Module 4 | 10 June – 12 June | Multiple sequence alignment | |
Module 5 | 17 June – 19 June | Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics | |
Module 6 | 24 June – 8 July | Genomics | |
Course wrap up | 15 July | Feedback and evaluation |