ABI Bioinformatics Summer School 2026

Course overview

The African Bioinformatics Institute will be hosting a Summer School from 08 – 19 June 2026 at the African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE-Uganda), in partnership with the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), and the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. The aim is to provide comprehensive training on bioinformatics computational resources, and domain-specific tools and workflows to improve participants’ proficiency in executing, interpreting, and communicating analyses for major bioinformatics studies, with a special focus on genomics.

Workshop Dates

8-19 June 2026

Skill level

Intermediate

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Language

English

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Type of training

in-person training

Venue:

The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE-Uganda).

Credential awarded:

Workshop certificate

Application Info

host application

applications are now closed:

Host applications open:
06 October 2025

Host applications close:
26 October 2025

Successful/unsuccessful hosts informed:
28 February 2026

Participant application

Applications are now closed

Participant application opens:
10 March 2026

Participant application closes:
25 March 2026

Participants informed of outcome:
18 April 2026

Who’s involved?

Workshop organisers: 

Shaun Aron, Melek Chaouch, Verena Ras, Jorge da Rocha, David Twesigomwe, Ian Wasukira, Damien Tully, Grace Kebirungi, Sumir Panji, and Nicola Mulder.

Workshop Sponsors: 

ABI, The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE-Uganda), in partnership with the the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), and the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit.

Intended Audience: 

  • MSc/PhD researchers and postdocs from a biology background with baseline bioinformatics experience (Linux, R/Python, basic NGS concepts).
  • Research staff/analysts from a biological background who have run at least one bioinformatics related analysis and want to scale up
  • Experienced wet-lab scientists, public health and industry staff transitioning into data analysis and meet prerequisites.
  • Computer scientists providing bioinformatics support to research groups

Syllabus and Tools:

Foundational Skills:

  • Linux command line and HPC – introductory to intermediate, sed and awk included
  • Programming in R / Intro to Biology (parallel streams for biology/computer science)

Specialised Topics:

  • NGS – general
  • Domain streams (participants choose one)
    • Pathogen genomics (Module 3A)
    • Human genomics (Module 3B)
    • Metagenomics (Module 3C)

Learning objectives/ outcomes: 

After this workshop participants should be able to:

 

  • Efficiently navigate and use the Linux command line to set up and run analyses on an HPC environment
  • Use Linux command line tools and R programming language to manipulate, analyse and visualise large datasets
  • Design, understand and analyse genomic data
  • Interpret and communicate analysis results

Programme Overview

Week 1

Core Bioinformatics Skills

Daily Schedule: 09:00 – 18:00 CAT

During the first week, participants will develop the foundational skills required for bioinformatics analysis, covering Linux, High Performance Computing (HPC), R programming and an introduction to Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Topics Covered

  • Linux for Bioinformatics
  • High Performance Computing (HPC)
  • R Programming
  • Introduction to Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)

Please note: Tea breaks are scheduled at 10:30 and 15:30 daily, with a lunch break from 13:00 – 14:00.

Week 2

Applied Bioinformatics

Daily Schedule: 09:00 – 18:00 CAT

The second week focuses on applying foundational skills to real-world biological datasets, with an emphasis on pathogen metagenomics, biological data analysis and participant presentations.

Topics Covered

  • R/Biology Integration
  • Human Pathogen Metagenomics
  • Parallel Streams
  • Participant Presentations

Please note: Tea breaks are scheduled at 10:30 and 15:30 daily, with a lunch break from 13:00 – 14:00.

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Thank You for Your Interest

Applications for the ABI Bioinformatics Summer School 2026 have now closed.

We encourage you to explore our other training opportunities and upcoming events, or join our mailing list to be notified when future programmes open for applications.

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