In the rapidly evolving field of bioinformatics, the need for comprehensive education and hands-on training has never been more critical. OMICSS, the annual summer school program, is back with its third installment, OMICSS-24, uniquely designed for total beginners. Our goal is to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills in life and data sciences, preparing you for your very first bioinformatics project.
The term “OMICSS-” derives from “OMICS School” and is rooted in the suffix “omics,” which encompasses research fields such as genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and metagenomics. These disciplines strive to comprehensively capture biological information at various levels, offering insights into biological systems’ complex interactions and functions. This approach contrasts with traditional research methods that typically focus on the detailed study of individual molecules. The emergence of new sequencing technologies approximately 15 years ago has sparked a revolution in life science research. This has led to a growing demand for bioinformatics specialists with the expertise to analyze “omics” datasets.
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
Araz Chiloyan, Yerevan, Armenia
Karine Shahgaldyan, Yerevan, Armenia
The daily schedule will be organized between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with some exceptions with earlier or later hours. The day will consist of the following activities, which will be reordered depending on the day:
There will be three (3) midterm exams, one after each module. Participants should score at least 60% on exams to continue onto the following module of the school. Top-scoring participants will be provided with an application fee waiver for the second module.
Please note that at least 90% attendance is required to pass to the second module and to complete the school.
The last ten days of the school will mainly be devoted to bioinformatics projects. The participants will work in teams with the school mentors. The projects will have a data analysis and biological research component. The projects will be presented on the last day of the Bootcamp.
Selected applicants will be contacted for additional interviews within a few days after the application.
We welcome applicants from any country. The travel and accommodation expenses should be taken care of by the individual applicants.
Applicants of Armenian descent are encouraged to apply to Birthright Armenia. For those planning a two-month visit to Armenia, accommodation assistance can be provided through Birthright Armenia. However, if applicants are willing to stay for up to six months and volunteer, Birthright will cover their travel expenses as well. It’s an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in Armenian culture and establish a supportive network that will enhance your visit and ease the transition. pleasant and easy.
Early bird applicants:Student: 20,000 AMD
Other: 40,000 AMD
Late bird applicants:Student: 30,000 AMD
Other: 60,000 AMD
Student: 25,000 AMD
Other: 50,000 AMD
The registration fee includes participation in the course, course materials, access to computational resources, coffee breaks, and participation in the final bioinformatics Bootcamp.
A limited amount of registration fee waivers (50% and 100%) for the first module of the school will be available for strong candidates who have difficulty paying the fee. The fees for the second module will be waived for the top performers according to the results of three midterm exams.
If you’re new to programming, we suggest you start with Python with the help of the following free online courses and resources, as well as several chapters from some of the best Python books. The books and the necessary chapters will be sent to your email as soon as you apply for the bridge course.
Don’t worry! We require the very basics and you can gain the needed level in just 2-3 weeks. Here are the topics you’ll need to cover:
We will be holding office hours at ABI 1-2 times a week during which our mentors will help you out with the bridge course!
Apply here before April 12 to participate in office hours. Once you fill out the form, we will contact you separately to arrange your visit. Later registrations are also possible, we will enroll participants on a rolling bases before the late bird registration deadline (May 26).
In your registration form, we will ask you to provide us with your account link on the Rosalind platform. This is a great resource for bioinformatics problems which we will use during school as well. You should have solved the following problems before the application:
In the application form, we will ask you to provide the link to your Rosalind account, where we will be able to see which problems you have been able to solve.
We are interested to know how you approach new material and new information that comes your way. Do you ask questions? Do you use imagination? Do you analyze and critisize new texts?
Here’s a piece of recent scientific news about the role of bacteria in cancer. We assume that you know nothing about biology, but we’re still sure you’re able to do research and gain some insight from the text. To do that, we’d like to ask you to use ChatGPT (or other LLM chats of your choice) and dig as much information as you can from this text. Remember to ask conceptual questions as well!
In the registration form, we will ask you to provide a link to your ChatGPT dialouge, which you can find on the left side menu (hover over the dialogue topic, you will find three dots, click on those and you will find the share link).
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. Buses number 99, 1, 43, 40 (small bus) pass right in front of the building.
