Course objectives and goals:

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 multidisciplinary and international networking in order to facilitate South-South and North-South collaborations in computational biology/bioinformatics and tropical diseases research.

The second-year training course will run for 2 weeks (from Sept 29 – Oct 10, 2003) 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 in disease-endemic countries IN SOUTHEAST ASIA with strong evidence to apply the knowledge and expertise gained from the course for research and also to training others in effort to increase capacity in bioinformatics upon return to home institution. The course will consist of lectures and theoretical sessions in the morning (09:00-12:00) which will be open to public, and hands-on sessions in a computer laboratory in the afternoon (14:00-17:30). The lectures will be given by experts in the fields. Evening sessions will be made 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 main topics covered by the course. To achieve the objectives of TDR, the training center will closely follow-up the trainees, assist and support the future access to resources available through the training center.

Course Website: bioinfo2003

Course Content :

• Fundamentals of computers: hardware, operation systems and networks
• Linux installation, file formats and file conversion
• Overview of parasite genomes and genomics
• Databases and bioinformatics resources in web
• Genome sequencing and sequencing technologies
• Sequence retrievals and sequence analysis tools
• Gene prediction and identification
• Databases and Information Management
• Algorithms and tools for sequence analysis
• Pair-wise and multiple sequence alignments
• Gene prediction and genome annotation
• PERL and BIOPERL
• Molecular evolution, phylogenetic prediction and comparative genomics
• Functional genomics, gene expression analysis
• DNA microarrays and data analysis
• Protein structure prediction and useful molecular graphic software
• Mining for new drug targets

Criteria for Selection:

Twenty candidates will be selected from scientists in disease endemic countries in ASIA REGION, with the following selection criteria:

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

Application Procedure:

• Complete the application form and submit via web-based procedure.
• Request of two reference letters from supervisors and/or senior colleagues. The reference letters MUST BE sent directly to bioinfo2003@ssi-tdr.net before August 15, 2003 .Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the reference letters arrive before the date due.

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:

Professor Worachart Sirawaraporn
Department of Biochemistry and Center for Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics (CBAG), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
Rama VI Rd., Bangkok 10400
Tel.: 66-2-201-5605
Fax: 66-2-248-0375
Email: scwsr@mahidol.ac.th

Important Dates :

Announcement of Course: July 15, 2003
Application will be reviewed when received until:  CLOSED
Notification of Participants:   
Deadline for Acceptance by Participants:   CLOSED
Course Dates: Sept 29-Oct 10, 2003