Keynote lecture: The evolving role of bioinformatics core facilities

Trainer: Sarah Butcher

Overview: Bioinformatics core facilities come in many shapes and sizes but all share some basic concepts and values. By reflecting on the presenter experiences moving from wet lab research into the field of bioinformatics and then working in university bioinformatics core facilities from the 1990’s almost to the present, she aims to highlight the changing nature of data and analyses as well as the expectations of researchers and how these changes require an ever-evolving facility. The presenter shows how we can use this history to unpick the unchanging core values of a bioinformatics facility and how their delivery can be affected by technology changes and new opportunities.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Summarise how the role of bioinformatics core facilities have changed over time
• Reflect on the goals for a bioinformatics core facility and what disruptive technologies have influenced them
• Discussed on the role of bioinformatics core facilities when supporting researchers in life sciences

Materials: Presentation slides