Omics Hub in Collaboration With CSIR–CRI Strengthens Bioinformatics Capacity Worldwide
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), in collaboration with Omics Hub, has successfully wrapped up a three-week Biodata Analysis Bootcamp.
The bootcamp attracted over 2,000 applications from students, early-career researchers, and professionals across 54 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. After a competitive selection process, about 300 applicants were shortlisted to participate in the programme.
The Biodata Analysis Bootcamp Edition 1 was carefully structured to guide participants from foundational programming skills to applied analysis of real biological datasets—genotyping and microbiome analysis.
The bootcamp began with a Python Basics module, which introduced participants to essential programming concepts including data types, control structures, functions, and basic scripting. This foundational training enabled participants, many of whom had no prior coding experience, to build confidence in programming.
This was followed by a Google Workspace for Research module. Participants explored the use of Google Drive, Google Forms, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides for research collaboration, data collection, documentation, analysis, and presentation.
The programme then progressed to R Basics, where participants were introduced to R programming for data handling and basic statistical analysis. This module expanded participants’ computational skills and prepared them for more advanced analytical tasks.
Building on these foundations, participants advanced to the Application of Python for Microbiome Analysis module. In this track, participants applied Python programming skills to real-world microbiome datasets.
The bootcamp climaxed with the application of R for Genotyping module. During this final phase, participants analyzed genotypic data by applying their skills from the R basics module.
Throughout the programme, participants also worked on capstone projects and quizzes, which allowed them to apply their newly acquired skills to practical and real datasets.
We are grateful to the Company of Biologists for the funding support, which made the successful implementation of this programme possible.
We greatly appreciate all facilitators and all active participants for their dedication and commitment throughout the bootcamp.
This was the first of its kind to be organized by Omics Hub, and we have witnessed it come to an impactful and successful end.
