Expanding the Reach of Bioinformatics Training Jennifer McDowall, Ph.D. Senior Scientist

What type of training is required?

3 Two types of training: 1)Training the bioinformaticians of the future Universities and affiliated institutes EMBL-EBI affiliated with Graduate training (MSc & PhD) Post-doctorate training Visitors program

Two types of training: 2)User training Wide diversity of end users Bioinformaticians Biologists Environmental scientists Agricultural scientists Clinicians Medical informaticians Chemoinformaticians…

Two types of training: 2)User training Wide diversity of end users Broad range of training – level and method EMBL-EBI: Hands-on training programs Bioinformatics Roadshows eLearning programs

User-training program Bioinformatics Roadshows E-learning Courses and workshops Training comes to you Training anywhere, anytime, at any pace

Hands-on training Interactive training through a combination of talks and practical exercises. Different levels of training from general overviews to focusing on specific data types and programmatic access. Learn from experts in the field. Full programme at Wellcome Images

Hands-on programme 2009/2010 Genomes 29–31 Mar 2010 Genomes 29–31 Mar 2010 Transcriptomes 18–23 Oct 2010 Transcriptomes 18–23 Oct 2010 Proteomes 9-13 Nov 2009 Proteomes 9-13 Nov 2009 Small molecule resources 25–29 Jan 2010 Small molecule resources 25–29 Jan 2010 Integrating resources for systems biology 11–13 Apr 2010 Integrating resources for systems biology 11–13 Apr 2010 Dip into the EBIs data resources 19–22 Oct 2009 Dip into the EBIs data resources 19–22 Oct 2009 Programmatic access to the EBIs DBs 22–26 Feb 2010 Programmatic access to the EBIs DBs 22–26 Feb 2010 Structures Sep 2010 Structures Sep 2010 Walk through the EBIs data resources 14–18 June 2010 Walk through the EBIs data resources 14–18 June 2010 Nextgen Sequencing 2010 Date tbc Nextgen Sequencing 2010 Date tbc

Bioinformatics Roadshows Takes hands-on training to the user Host selects content relevant to their institute Universities, Institutes, Industry Presentations with hands-on practical sessions Use host computer facilities Coordinated by EMBL-EBI in collaboration with: Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics European Patent Office BRENDA project Details at or contact Jan Copeland

Support for Roadshows EU Integrated Infrastructure Initiative FELICS Supported hosted hands-on training SLING (Mar 2009-Feb 2012) Fully funded roadshows within Europe Some funds for individuals who cannot host a roadshow to attend one elsewhere Annual networking sessions with trainers and hosts to develop a sustainable system for training Roadshow hosts encouraged and supported to develop own local training program

roadshows in three years >550 users trained

eLearning Allows users to work at their own pace Experts in field create and monitor each course Challenges Keeping material up to date Better to teach concepts than provide step by step guides Motivating trainees to complete courses Better to incorporate time-limited elements eg Trainer online on specific days

Video tutorial learn by watching and listening Video tutorial learn by watching and listening Modular courses Print tutorial Learn by reading Print tutorial Learn by reading Quiz Learn by testing your understanding Quiz Learn by testing your understanding Reflective task Learn by practicing Reflective task Learn by practicing eLearning Courses contains 3–5 modules (~30 min each) Each module contains…

Building sustainability into training programs Cannot train every user. We can support other trainers by… Providing training materials Guidelines for running training courses We can support users by… Developing eLearning courses Providing training materials online User feedback Provide helpdesk for databases

EBI and the ELIXIR training strategy ELIXIR is an EU-funded project Development of data resources should be tightly linked to provision of training materials Centralized coordination of bioinformatics user training through a training support unit EU funded ELIXIRs training recommendations: Provision of training/outreach staff should be built into funding mechanism

Improve accessibility of bioinformatics training materials by: Build a registry of freely available training materials Develop bench-marking systems Act as a main point of contact with other training infrastructures Aims of EBI and ELIXIR Build communities of trainers, trainees and other stakeholders