The Regional Training Course on Bioinformatics (Computational Biology) Applied to Tropical Diseases Genomic is an initiative designed as part of the activities of WHO/TDR in collaboration with Mahidol University, Thailand. The aim of this initiative is to promote the capability of endemic countries scientists to apply cutting edge DNA technology to tropical diseases research. The objective is to introduce participants to basic information on the application of genome information and the potential for development of tools that can be applied to tropical diseases research. The regional two-week training course will focus on bioinformatics (computational biology) concepts with specific emphasis on the tropical diseases in the TDR portfolio (Malaria, Tuberculosis, Dengue, Leishmaniasis, Chagas' disease, African sleeping sickness, leprosy, filariasis, onchocerciasis, and schistosomiasis).

The objective of the course is to train young investigators and encourage application of bioinformatics/computation biology to pathogen genome research and development of new products against tropical diseases. Effort on the course will also be devoted to promoting multidiciplinary and international networking in order to facilitate South-South and North-South collaborations in computational biology/bioinformatics and tropical diseases research.

The first course will run for 2 weeks (from July 9-23, 2002) at the Center for Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics (CBAG), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Preference in allocating the limited number (20) of places on the course will be given to scientists with strong background and potential to apply the knowledge and expertise gained from the course to research and also to training others in an effort to increase capacity in bioinformatics at their home institution. The course will consist of lectures and theoretical sessions in the morning (09:00-12:30) which will be open to the interested public (a  modest registration fees will be charged), and hands-on practical training sessions in a computer laboratory in the afternoon (13:30-17:30) which will be restricted only to 20  selected participants. The lectures will be given by invited speakers and experts from Thailand and international institutions. Evening sessions will be available for follow-up and scripting exercises. Computers will be provided for each participant during the practical course. The selected participants will receive training materials and documentation on the main topics covered by the course, and will have future access to the support services provided by CBAG, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University.

Course Website: http://www.sc.mahidol.ac.th/scbc/cbag/index.htm

Course Content:

• Fundamentals of computers, Unix/Linux Operating System, and computer languages
• Introduction to molecular biology of tropical diseases in Southeast Asia
• Databases of tropical diseases and Information Management
• Algorithms and tools for sequence analysis
• Molecular evolution, phylogenetic prediction and comparative genomics
• Gene prediction and genome annotation
• Molecular modelling and rational inhibitor design
• Functional genomics, gene expression analysis, DNA microarrays and proteomics
• Data mining for new drug targets

Twenty candidates will be selected from scientists and researchers from Southeast Asian countries, with the following selection criteria:

• Good biochemistry and molecular biology background.
• Expertise in using internet and computer.
• Fluent in English.
• Involvement in the tropical diseases research projects
• Potential of using bioinformatics for research in home institution.
• Available for the entire duration of the course.

.Application Procedure:

All applications must be submitted via web-based procedure. The application form is available for download at http://www.sc.mahidol.ac.th/scbc/cbag/applic.htmThose interested should complete the form, include two reference letters from supervisors and/or senior colleagues, and send all documents by email to: scwsr@mahidol.ac.th

Application submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Venue:
Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Fee:
There is no registration fee for the course. Selected applicants will receive financial support for travel and participation.

No of Participants: 20

Course language: English

Further Information:
Dr. Worachart Sirawaraporn
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
Rama VI Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel.: 66-2-201-5605
Fax: 66-2-248-0375
Email: scwsr@mahidol.ac.th

Selected participants:  March 15, 2002. List of selected participants    
Course start:  July 9, 2002
Course end:  July 23,2002

Course Staff:

Course Schedule:

Acknowledgements: