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.

Curious about what the group projects look like? Explore the ones created during the last run of this course for inspiration - Group projects 2025 

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 to the Unix environment 
• Introduction to R 
• Introduction to Python

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, Omnipath
• Challenges and best practices for working in an integrated manner with biological data

Trainers

Please read our support page before starting your application. 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 23:59 GMT on 16 November 2025. Items marked * in the application are mandatory. Incomplete applications will not be processed. 

All applicants will be informed of the status of their application (successful, waiting list, unsuccessful) by 1 December 2025. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Meredith Willmott.

Fees

 The registration fee includes:

• Catering as detailed on the course programme
• Accommodation for four nights (2, 3, 4, and 5 March)
• 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 the practical sessions listed in the programme
• Shuttle bus on the final course day to Cambridge train station 

* If your company is an EMBL-EBI Industry Programme Member, discounts may be available. This will apply automatically on registration if applicable; alternatively, please contact your Event Organiser for more information.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance is available to a limited number of participants attending this course.

Registration fee waivers

A limited number of registration fee waivers are offered for this course.

• Application process:
  • Apply for the fee waiver alongside your course application.
  • Provide a brief explanation of why you require the waiver and how attending the course will benefit your career.
• Notification:
  • You will be informed of your waiver status at the same time as the outcome of your course application.
  • If awarded, the registration fee will be waived entirely.

Travel grants

A limited number of travel grants of up to £1,000.00 are available to support participants' travel expenses.

• Covered expenses:
  • Airfare, train, bus, taxi, and visa costs.
• Application process:
  • Apply for the travel grant when submitting your course application.
  • You will be informed of the grant decision, including the amount awarded, along with your course application outcome.
• Reimbursement process:
  • Participants must pay upfront for their travel costs.
  • A reimbursement form will be provided upon course completion.
  • Submit the completed form with receipts within one month of travel completion.
• Grant adjustment:
  • The organisers may adjust the grant amount to accommodate more participants.

Financial assistance terms and conditions

• Selection process: Recipients of financial assistance will be selected by the scientific organisers during the course application review.
• Selection criteria:
  • Selection is based on scientific merit, your current work or study location, the need for financial support, and the career impact of attending the course.
  • Priority will be given to applicants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
• Fair consideration: Applying for financial assistance will not impact the outcome of your course application.

Additional information

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.

Travel information

Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are needed for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status. Full details and information on how to apply can be found at the UK Gov website. 

Event terms and conditions

• Selection process: Recipients will be selected by the scientific organisers during the course application review.
• Selection criteria:
  • Selection is based on scientific merit, your current work or study location, the need for financial support, and the career impact of attending the course.
  • Priority will be given to applicants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
• Fair consideration: Applying for financial assistance will not affect your course application outcome.