Sponsored by UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/ WHO Special Programme
for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)
To be held at
Center for Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics (CBAG), Faculty of Science,
Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
18 - 29 Sept, 2006

Introduction:

The Regional Training Course on Bioinformatics Applied to Tropical Diseases in Southeast Asia is an initiative of WHO/TDR in collaboration with Mahidol University.  The aims of the initiative are to strengthen research capability of scientists in endemic countries and to promote application of bioinformatics in tropical diseases research.  Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing field and has evolved into a core component of post-genomic research whose aim is to transform the sequencing data into biologically meaningful knowledge.  The discipline has become an important tool for understanding gene regulation, gene expression, functional description of the gene products, and metabolic processes leading to diseases and genetic variations.

About the course:

This is the 5^th Southeast Asia Regional Training Course on Bioinformatics Applied to Tropical Diseases to be held at the Center for Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics (CBAG), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand from September 18-29, 2006.  It is an intensive 2-week course comprising of lectures given by invited experts in the field in the morning, followed by practical sessions on using various bioinformatics tools in a computer laboratory in the afternoon.  Time will be allocated in the evening for the participants to review, ask questions and follow-up the course contents.  Computers will be made available for each participant during the practical course.  Selected participants will receive training materials and CDs of the training course containing course materials and Bioinformatics freeware used in the course.  All trainees in the course will receive continued support from CBAG and future access to resources available in the center.

Objectives:

The objective of the 5^th regional training course on bioinformatics applied to tropical diseases in Southeast Asia is to train young investigators and encourage the application of bioinformatics to pathogen genome research and development of new strategies for disease control.  Efforts will also be made to promote multidisciplinary and international networking and collaboration among investigators from different countries in the region, with the emphasis of diseases of TDR portfolio (Malaria, Tuberculosis, Dengue, Leishmaniasis, Chagas' disease, African sleeping sickness, leprosy, filariasis, onchocerciasis, and schistosomiasis).

Eligibility:

Ph.D students, postdoctoral fellows and young faculty members at the beginning of their careers, who are active in tropical diseases research and can demonstrate clear ability to use and apply bioinformatics and post-genomics tools for their future research, are highly encouraged to apply.

Criteria for Selection:

Fifteen candidates will be selected from scientists in disease endemic countries in Asia and Southeast Asia, with the following selection criteria:

Course Website:  http://www.ssi-tdr.net/cbag/Inter_Training/2006/schdule.html

Course Contents:

Application Procedure:

The application form is available at the course website and MUST be submitted ONLINE only (paper application will not be accepted). All applicants are required to provide estimated cost of economic round-trip airfare (direct route) in the application form.  Two reference letters (scanned letters with letter-head and signatures) from supervisors and/or senior colleagues MUST BE sent via attached mail to paweena@ssi-tdr.net by the application deadline (August 7, 2006). The two reference letters MUST indicate why strong supports are given to the applicant and comment on how the institute and the applicant would benefit from attending the training course.  Application will not be considered if the two reference letters are not received.

Venue:

Center for Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics (CBAG), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Fee:

There is no registration fee for the course.  Selected applicants will be provided training materials, CDs containing course contents, economic round-trip airfare (direct route), accommodation and food during the period of the training course.

No. of Participants: 15

Course language: English