Bioinformatics is a science that integrates concepts of biology, mathematics, statistics and computer science and is dedicated to the study of biological issues through the analysis of molecular data. Bioinformatics is essential for storing biological data, which grows exponentially, to disseminate information on Web-based platforms, and to analyze and interpret experimental data.  Thus, Bioinformatics is an area of knowledge that is constantly developing and updating.  This course is relevant not only for the training of undergraduate and graduate students but also for the complementary training of health professionals and technicians.

This course combines teaching, for each topic, of the theoretical concepts and bioinformatics tools available, the practical demonstration of these tools and their application by the students in a desktop computer to solve the proposed scientific questions.

Course accredited by the University of Porto. Credits: 2 ECTS.

Aims

By the end of the course the participants must be able to:

- Master essential knowledge of bioinformatics analysis;

- Autonomously use the bioinformatics tools presented, understanding its capabilities and limitations, and interpret the results in a self-confident manner.

 

Course contents

The course is organized in five theoretical-practical sessions held on consecutive days where the following syllabus contents will be taught:

Session 1. Sequence databases: introduction, examples, data retrieval. Practical exercises I.

Session 2. Sequence comparison: alignment methods, similarity searches, homology, protein motifs and domains. Practical exercises II.

Session 3. Sequence analysis: prediction of biological properties from DNA, RNA and protein sequences. Primer design for cloning and gene expression analyses and siRNA design. Restriction maps.  Practical exercises III.

Session 4. Gene ontology: retrieving biological insight from high throughput experiments. Gene expression databases. Sequence variation and mutations linked to genetic neurological diseases.  Practical exercises IV.

Session 5. Integration of biological data: comparison of gene data sets and multiple databases query. Practical exercises V.

 

Evaluation

The evaluation will take into account the following components:

(i) Individual written work based on solving proposed problems (RPP) in all sessions (80%), and

(ii) Daily evaluation considering pertinent comments and discussions during the classes (AD) (20%).

The assessment shall be expressed on a scale of 0 to 20 values and calculated according to the following formula:

Final grade = (RPPx0.8) + (ADx0.2)

 Specific admission conditions

Frequency of higher education or university degree in Biological or Medical Sciences. Basic computer skills are required.

 Selection and ranking criteria

Curriculum analysis (60%):

- PhD* (5 points)

- Master/BSc before-Bologna process* (3 points)

- BSc* (2 points)

- Postgraduation course/short course (few weeks) (Biological Sciences areas) (1 point)

Professional experience in areas related to the Course (40%):

- Professional experience (1 point/year; maximum of 5 points)

(*) These three criteria are mutually exclusive.

Tie-breaker criterion

Motivation letter.

Number of participants: 12 (max)/2 (min).

Tuition fee: 155¤ (Other institutions)/130¤ (Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto). The fee must be paid upon definitive registration.

Coordinator and Faculty: Filipe Almeida Monteiro (PhD in Biomedical Sciences), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto.