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Training provision in Bioinformatics

Who to target and what to deliver

Pedro L. FernandesInstituto Gulbenkian de CiênciaOeiras, PT

http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.1371160

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Motivation I

The Biomedical sector has evolved, since the 1980s, in a way that requires increasing skills in data science.

Progress in biomedical research is practically impossible without analytical steps that involve multiple resources (data and tools) that we call Bioinformatics.

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Motivation IIThere are providers and consumers of Bioinformatics tools and services.In different ways, both require skills in a somewhat continuous way, in areas where innovation is very fast.

Formal learning systems (eg. Universities) do a great job at providing professional knowledge to qualified professionals.

Is that sufficient?

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Training Provision

Training (non-formal, lifelong transfer of skills) fills an enormous gap that is constantly widening in consequence of the dynamics of this sector.

The object of this training is like a moving target in multiple aspects:- Subjects- People- Technologies

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Who can work in Bioinformatics

Training generates problem solving capacities.

For users, it enables “best informed” usage at a high level of autonomy with reduced effort. No one knows better what biological questions to ask than the person who has the problem in hands: the user.

For developers, it promotes best practices and reproducibility.

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Training Provision

The offer in Bioinformatics Training is generally insufficient for the demand. Why?

- Lack of coherent, regular programmes.- Difficulties of access to training events.- Unpredictable, scattered, badly announced offer.- Undefined quality goals.

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Success in BI Training Provision

Success in training can be seen in feedback

- Quantity of transferred skills (subject coverage)

- User autonomy / independence

- Expectations met versus expectations raised

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Individual attention in training

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Structured training course

Davide Baù using XMind

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Success in BI Training Provision

Success in training can be seen in feedback

- Quantity of transferred skills (subject coverage)

- User autonomy / independence

- Expectations met versus expectations raised

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Genesis of a careful design

Careful design is learner-centered

- Clearly defined overall objectives- Focussed sessions with targeted exercises- Short lectures that enable exercises- Blended audiovisuals- Participatory “serious games”- Instant Feedback - Review moments (wrap-up)

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Genesis of a careful design

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SMART Learning objectives

●Specific

●Measurable

●Achievable

●Realistic

●Time-bound

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GTPB Learning offer 2015● Introductory Bioinformatics● Promoter hunting and systems modelling of cellular pathways● Structural Modelling for Large Macromolecular Complexes● Automated Reproducible Analysis of NGS Data● Computational Epidemiology● Genomic Architecture of Complex Traits● Introductory Biostatistics for Biologists● Metagenomic Data Analysis● Hands-on Quantitative Bioimaging● Model-based approaches in Demography● Advanced Biostatistics for Biologists● Bioinformatics using Python for Biologists● Proteomics Data Analysis● Whole Exome Data Analysis● Translational Bioinformatics in Health and Disease● Chromosome structure determination using modelling and Hi-C data

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GTPB in LinkedIn

GTPB - The Gulbenkian Training Programme in Bioinformatics https://www.linkedin.com/groups?groupDashboard=&gid=2816318

628 Members!

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GTPB since 1999

● International audiences● Consistent methodologies● More than 240 courses● More than 3400 participants● Fully documented

http://gtpb.igc.gulbenkian.pt

https://www.facebook.com/mygtpb

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ELIXIR Infrastrucure

The IGC will contribute with quality training

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GOBLET

The Global Organisation for Bioinformatics Learning, Education & Training

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GOBLET

Training Portal

http://mygoblet.org/training-portal

Access to free training materials

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EMBnetBioinformatics without borders

The Global Bioinformatics Network

http://www.embnet.org/

The 27 year old network assembles Bioinformatics practitioners from over 40 countries, worldwide.

Membership is open to institutions and individuals

Student membership fee €15/year

The next meeting is at the IGC in OEIRAS, June 11th and 12th

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EMBnetBioinformatics without borders

The Global Bioinformatics Network

EMBnet publishes an open access Journal

http://journal.embnet.org

EMBnet publishes Quick Guides (Downloadable for FREE)

http://www.embnet.org/embnet-quickguides

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ISCB

ISCBSC Regional Student Group Portugal

http://bioinformatics-portugal.org/students

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ISCB-RSG-Portugal

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News curation activiity

Bioinformatics Training on Scoop.It!

http://www.scoop.it/t/bioinformatics-training

and Paper.li

http://paper.li/f-1334858808#

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Take home messages

Take the existing opportunities to network with professional organisations like EMBnet (communities) and GOBLET (training)

Check connection possibilities with the ISCBSC Portugal

Engage in serious Bioinformatics practice through TRAINING(Portugal happens to have a significant amount of quality events)

Follow my Curated News

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The End