Course outside EMBL-EBI
Pathways towards biocuration
An African perspective for supporting biocuration within LMICs
This knowledge exchange workshop is an opportunity for established and aspiring biocurators to learn from one another, and from biocuration leads from EMBL-EBI’s services teams and African biodata platforms. You will discuss challenges that you face and solutions that you have come to, and plan ways to cope with the ever-changing demands raised by the molecular life science field.
The course focuses on how different trends and tools, such as AI inclusion, practical skills required by biocurators (e.g. fundamental biocuration concepts, best practices, and the basic toolbox for biocuration), shape the progression of a biocurator and what potentials and pitfalls there could be.
The training event is part of the series of workshops taking place at the ISB’s 19th Annual International Biocuration Conference.
Who is this course for?
Established and aspiring biocurators within the life sciences. This workshop is aimed at both new and experienced biocurators, and is open to other professionals taking part in or influencing the biocuration process.
What will I learn?
Course content
During this course, you will learn about:
- Biocuration foundations (e.g. metadata and ontologies)
- Insights to global and regional biodata resources
- Data curation core tools to support best practices
- Pathways towards becoming a biocurator within the current AI-dominated field
- Data curation networks and communities
Learning outcomes
After the course, you should be able to:
- Discuss the varied roles of biocurators and identify their opportunities and challenges for career progression within the AI-oriented era
- Identify resources and communities relevant to the biocuration field, and the pathways
- Discuss how to train end-users on different biocuration fundamentals (e.g. metadata, ontologies, and biocuration tools) that are used by global and regional biological data resources
Trainers
Yasmina Fakim
University of Mauritius Marwa Khedhiri
Institut Pasteur de Tunis Atwine Mugume
University of Cape Town Fauzia Radouani
Institut Pasteur du Maroc Elliot Sollis
EMBL-EBI Oussema Souai
Institut Pasteur de Tunis Barbara Zdrazil
EMBL-EBI
Programme
All times in the programme are listed in SAST.
Monday 20 April 2026
Time
Topic
Trainer
08:30 – 08:40
The Global Engagement Programme at EMBL-EBI
ThankGod Ebenezer
08:40 – 09:30
The role of biocuration in life sciences and its impact in LMIC settings
Fauzia Radouani
09:30 – 10:30
Train the trainer – annotation and metadata standards: ontology mapping tools
TBA
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 – 12:00
Train the trainer – annotation and metadata standards: ontology mapping tools
TBA
12:00 – 12:45
Global biological databases and repositories
- ChEMBL
- GWAS Catalogue
Elliot Solis and Barbara Zdrazil
12:45 – 13:00
Global biological databases and repositories
- AGVD (African Genomic Variation Database
- AGMP (African Genomic Medicine Portal)
- AMP (African Microbiome Portal)
Marwa Khedhiri (AGMP)
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 – 14:30
Regional Biological Databases & Repositories: perspectives and supporting biocurators in these platforms
- AMP (African Microbiome Portal)
- AGVD (African Genomic Variation Database
- AGMP (African Genomic Medicine Portal)
Yasmina Fakim (AGVD)
Oussema Souai (AMP microbiome portal)
14:30 – 15:30
Pathways to becoming a biocurator: career progression within the AI era (challenges, best practices, and guidelines on becoming a biocurator)
Atwine Mugume, Patricia Carvajal-López
Discussion: all trainers
15:30
End of workshop
- Participants will be selected by the scientific organisers during the course application review. Please visit the conference's workshop registration page to apply
- Selection criteria:
- Selection is based on scientific merit, your current work or study location, and the career impact of attending the workshop.
- Priority will be given to applicants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
University of Mauritius
Institut Pasteur de Tunis
University of Cape Town
Institut Pasteur du Maroc
EMBL-EBI
Institut Pasteur de Tunis
EMBL-EBI
Programme
All times in the programme are listed in SAST.
Monday 20 April 2026
Time | Topic | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
08:30 – 08:40 | The Global Engagement Programme at EMBL-EBI | ThankGod Ebenezer |
08:40 – 09:30 | The role of biocuration in life sciences and its impact in LMIC settings | Fauzia Radouani |
09:30 – 10:30 | Train the trainer – annotation and metadata standards: ontology mapping tools | TBA
|
10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee break | |
11:00 – 12:00 | Train the trainer – annotation and metadata standards: ontology mapping tools | TBA |
12:00 – 12:45 | Global biological databases and repositories
| Elliot Solis and Barbara Zdrazil
|
12:45 – 13:00 | Global biological databases and repositories
|
Marwa Khedhiri (AGMP)
|
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch break | |
14:00 – 14:30 | Regional Biological Databases & Repositories: perspectives and supporting biocurators in these platforms
| Yasmina Fakim (AGVD) Oussema Souai (AMP microbiome portal) |
14:30 – 15:30 | Pathways to becoming a biocurator: career progression within the AI era (challenges, best practices, and guidelines on becoming a biocurator) | Atwine Mugume, Patricia Carvajal-López Discussion: all trainers |
15:30 | End of workshop | |
- Participants will be selected by the scientific organisers during the course application review. Please visit the conference's workshop registration page to apply
- Selection criteria:
- Selection is based on scientific merit, your current work or study location, and the career impact of attending the workshop.
- Priority will be given to applicants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).