Contemporary medicine, pharma, and biotech have largely been transformed into data-dependent ventures, where large-scale biological data analysis is the cornerstone of success. Consequently, technologies that have revolutionized bio-related research and industries, such as large-scale sequencing have posed the challenge of having enough specialists able to transform data into knowledge (bioinformaticians). Training specialists in the field of bioinformatics and genomics is thus of tremendous importance to life science research and innovation.
In Armenia, some BSc programs offer courses in bioinformatics and genomics, such as those in the Russian-Armenian University and the American University of Armenia. However, there is a huge knowledge gap that most of the students need to bridge to gain relevant skills to conduct research in bioinformatics. It is a critical problem to meet these needs and prepare a new generation of young bioinformatics researchers. Importantly, there is a huge talent and potential among the students at the undergraduate level, but lack of post-graduate opportunities. And this is the main challenge that the Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI) is solving.
In response to this challenge, ABI in collaboration with the Bioinformatics Group at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) NAS RA is organizing the second summer school in genome bioinformatics: OMICSS-2022. The program envisions recruitment of up to 20 students from biology, math, data, and computer science background to engage them in everyday learning activities and hands-on training exercises. Each student will be associated with an individual ABI mentor and will take the educational resources found in the OMICSS-2021 guide developed by ABI. The students’ learning will be self-paced, at the same time receiving individual guidance from the mentors. The mentors will take into account the background of each student and will shape the self-learning program and the exercises accordingly. In addition, the mentors will facilitate knowledge exchange between peer students with complementary backgrounds (biology versus tech) through frequent meet-ups and peer-to-peer discussions.
Around 40 researchers and biotech industry specialists from Armenia and abroad will join the program to deliver guest lectures and to get to know the students. Ultimately, a few students will be chosen to continue their research under the supervision of the guest scientists.
The school is intended for biologists or data/computer scientists eager to start their journey in bioinformatics and genomics. This school offers a possibility to learn about the role of bioinformatics in research and development in life sciences, and gain the basic knowledge and skills needed to start their first bioinformatics project. The school also provides a unique opportunity to meet scientists from Armenia and abroad who will join with guest lectures and seminars.
During the school, the students will gain general knowledge about bioinformatics and will acquire skills enabling them to start their journey in bioinformatics research. They will get to know peers with similar interests and will gain a valuable network that will help them in the initial stages of their careers.
Up to 10 students will be selected after successful completion of the school and the workshop and will become research students at ABI, some will be offered travel opportunities to participate in a 2-month-long bioinformatics school in Sweden, or to get engaged in master’s and bachelor’s projects offered by ABI and other universities in Belgium, Netherlands, US, etc. A limited number of scholarships will be available to support the research activities of those students.
Most of the graduates of OMICSS-2021 school conducted last year are currently involved in research projects at ABI (around 10 students), or other research institutions in Armenia. Around 8 researchers who have provided seminars in the OMICSS-2021 school have been supervising the ABI students throughout the last year. OMICSS-2021 has been the Bing Bang event for ABI, enabling us to exponentially increase the number of young researchers in the field and engage life scientists from the world, and we expect to achieve the same impact with OMICSS-2022.
In the final month, the students who successfully pass all exams will participate in a week-long bioinformatics workshop outside of Yerevan, where experienced researchers from Armenia and abroad will be invited. During the workshop, the students will conduct short bioinformatics projects, receive mentorship from senior researchers, and will present their results in a final presentation.
Foundational Knowledge: Dive into the essentials of molecular biology, programming, and statistics.
Bioinformatics skills: Learn about cutting-edge sequencing technologies, next-generation sequencing data analysis, and the bioinformatics algorithms vital for big data analysis in genomics.
Expert Insight: Gain perspective from leading figures in the field, with invited speakers from institutes worldwide sharing their knowledge, research, and the vast array of career opportunities in bioinformatics.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, mentors, and leaders, opening doors to collaborations and career advancements.
Hands-On Experience: Engage in daily learning activities and practical exercises designed to solidify your knowledge and skills.
Bioinformatics Bootcamp: The school will end in a ten-day journey through your first bioinformatics project, where you and your team will analyze genomics data and present the findings to your peers and school speakers at a 3 to 4 day bootcamp that will take place in Dilijan or in Sevan.
Pathway to Internship: Successful completion of OMICSS-24 could be your gateway to an exciting internship at ABI, offering real-world experience in the field of bioinformatics.
Lilit Nersisyan, Founding Director of ABI, Yerevan, Armenia
Maria Nikoghosyan, IMB NAS, Yerevan, Armenia
Siras Hakobyan, IMB NAS, Yerevan, Armenia
Alisa Hovsepyan, Yerevan, Armenia
Sona Melikjanyan, Yerevan, Armenia
Students, graduates and young researchers with basic knowledge of biology OR basic programming skills (R, Python, etc.) are welcome to apply. Basic knowledge of English is a prerequisite.
Registration deadline: 01 June 2022
Interviews: 03 June 2022
Notifications of acceptance: 06 June 2022
Payment deadline: 08 June 2022
Start date: 14 June 2022
End date: 25 August 2022
Registration fee of 10000 AMD should be made via bank transfer. The details will be sent out to accepted participants.
*fee includes: welcome gifts and access to learning materials and resources.
Institute of Molecular Biology, 7 Ezras Hasratyan Street (Kanaker-Zeytun), Yerevan, Armenia
IMB is located in Kanaker-Zeytun district, 200m to the left of the Mikaelyan Institute of Surgery. Please note, the street name is Ezras Hasratyan street, not to mix it with Grigor Hasratyan street which is located on the other side of the city. Microbuses number 99 and 33 pass right in front of the building.
