With the increase in the volume of data across the whole spectrum of biology, more opportunities, as well as challenges, have been created to identify novel perspectives and answer questions in life sciences. This may also include public domain data, which can provide added value to data derived through the researcher’s own work and inform experimental design. 

This introductory course will highlight the challenges that researchers face in integrating multi-omics data sets using biological examples. The course will focus on the use of public data resources and open access tools for enabling integrated working, with an emphasis on data visualisation. This course will not include systems biology modelling or machine learning.

A major element of this course is a group project, where participants will be placed in small groups to work together on a challenge set by trainers from EMBL-EBI data resource and research teams. This allows participants to explore the bioinformatics tools and resources introduced in the course and to apply these to a set problem, providing hands-on experience of relevance to their own research. The group work will culminate in a presentation session involving all participants on the final day of the course, allowing wider discussion on the benefits and challenges of integrating data. 

Who is this course for?

This course is aimed at biologists who are beginning to work on multi-omics data integration projects and beginner computational biologists/bioinformaticians who wish to gain a better knowledge of the biological challenges presented when working with integrated datasets. 

Some practical sessions in the course require a basic understanding of the Unix command line and the R the R programming language. If you are not already familiar with these then please ensure that you complete these free tutorials before you attend the course:

• Introduction and exercises for Linux: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/free-linux-training
• Basic R concept tutorials: www.r-tutor.com/r-introduction

What will I learn?

Learning outcomes

After this course you should be able to:

• Discuss motivations for working in an integrated manner
• Identify challenges for bringing different data types together
• Use a range of bioinformatics tools to analyse and visualise biological data

Course content

During this course you will learn about:

• Data curation and ID mapping
• Quality control for data integration
• Analysis and visualisation:  Cytoscape, Multi-omics factor analysis (MOFA), COSMOS
• Challenges and best practices for working in an integrated manner with biological data

Trainers

Please read our page on application support before starting your application. In order to be considered for a place on this course, you must do the following:

• Complete the online application form.
• Ensure you add relevant information to the ‘submission details’ section where you are asked to provide information on your:
  • pre-requisite skills and knowledge
  • current work and course expectations
  • data availability
• Upload one letter of support from your supervisor or a senior colleague detailing reasons why you should be selected for the course.

Please submit all documents during the application process by midnight on 17th November 2024. Items marked * in the application are mandatory. Incomplete registrations will not be processed. 

All applicants will be informed of the status of their application (successful, waiting list, unsuccessful) by Monday 02nd December. If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Meredith Willmott.

Posters

All participants are expected to present a poster and successful applicants will be asked to submit their poster upon registration. We expect the posters to act as a talking point between you, other participants, and the trainers on the course. They should give the reader an idea of the work you are engaged in, what you are planning to do next, and anything of interest that might be useful for sharing with the gathered participants.

Registration fees

The registration fee includes: 

• Catering as detailed on the course programme
• Accommodation for 4 nights (3, 4, 5, and 6 March 2025) at Hinxton Hall Conference Centre
• Bespoke course handbook with links to all course materials
• Use of a computer in the EMBL-EBI training suite throughout the course
• Secure virtual machines for practical sessions listed in the programme
• Shuttle bus on the final course day to Cambridge train station 

Financial assistance

Financial assistance is available for a limited number of participants on this course.

Registration fee waivers

We are able to offer a limited number of registration fee waivers for this course. If you receive a waiver, your registration fee will be reimbursed after you have completed the course.

You will need to apply for the fee waiver at the same time as submitting your application for the course, explaining why you require the waiver and how attending this course will benefit your career.

You will be informed about whether you have received the waiver at the same time as you hear about the application outcome for the course. If your course application is successful, you will need to pay the registration fee at the time you register. You will receive the waiver within a month of submitting your form. 

Travel grants

We are able to offer travel grants of up to a maximum of £500 for participants to travel to the course. This will cover the cost of travel to the site where the course is being held and can be used for airfare, train, bus, taxi, or visa costs.

Travel grants are applied for at the same time that you apply for the course. You will be informed about the travel grant, including the amount that you have been awarded, at the same time as the outcome of your course application. 

You will need to pay for the upfront costs of your travel. We will then send you a reimbursement form on your completion of the course. The form must be signed and submitted along with supporting receipts within one month of completion of travel. 

The organisers may reduce the amount offered for the travel grant to accommodate more participants. 

Terms and conditions of fee waivers/ travel grants 

The scientific organisers will select the recipients of financial assistance during the course application selection process. Selection for financial support is based on scientific merit, your current work study or location, the reasons for needing financial support and the impact this event will have on your career. Priority will be given to applications from low and middle income countries.

Course materials 

The materials for the 2024 course are available for you to browse. These provide a snapshot of the content that will be covered in the 2025 course.