This introductory knowledge exchange workshop is an opportunity for managers of bioinformatics core facilities in both formal and informal positions, to learn from various core facility managers across Latin America and EMBL-EBI, from each other, and from potential users of their services. These facilities play an essential role in enabling research in the molecular life sciences. The landscape is constantly evolving as new research tools emerge, as experiments become increasingly data intensive, and as their clients – experimental researchers – become more exposed to the power of data-driven biology.

The workshop will allow participants to share experiences, discuss challenges and solutions that they face, and plan ways to cope with the ever changing demands raised by the molecular life science field. It will include lectures (live and pre-recorded) and active sessions to learn from managers of bioinformatics facilities, hear how others have tackled common problems, and work together to design core services.

Please note this course will NOT provide any bioinformatics training.

Who is this course for?

Applicants must be employed within Latin America only.

A relevant undergraduate-level degree in a biology or computer science / informatics degree would be helpful. You may have an MSc/PhD in biology, computer science and/or bioinformatics, or relevant experience through employment.

Please note this course will be taught in English, however some trainers are fluent in either Spanish/Portuguese, and can offer language support where feasible. Priority will also be given to those who have not attended a CABANA event yet.

You may be expected to watch pre-recorded videos and complete short assignments prior to attending the workshop. This should amount to up to 5 hours of work.

What will I learn?

Learning outcomes

After this course you should be able to:

• Identify the strengths and limitations of your core facility
• Apply a framework for designing new services (including training your users) or redesigning existing services
• Explain different cost models, their pros and cons, and how to apply them in the context of your core facility
• Identify opportunities of collaboration in LATAM and available resources from the region and EBI.

Course content

During this course you will learn about:

• Evolving/emerging role of bioinformatics core facilities
• Personnel for Core facilities 
• Funding and finances
• Resource mapping
• Cost models 
• Project management for Core facilities
• Shared Advanced Computing Resources and Skills for Research in Latin America via SCALAC 
• Introduction to EMBL-EBI tools and services

Trainees will either be invited from the postponed 2020 workshop or invited to apply. 

For specific workshop queries please email Rebeca Campos.

Please note that this course is free, but unexplained absence will result in blacklisting for future courses and/or opportunities.

The course will have a maximum of 15 participants. Registration will be dependent on selection upon successful completion of the application process by invitation.