Overview

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) methods have had a large impact on many biological fields due to a very rapid decrease in cost and throughput. It often results in hundreds of gigabytes of data. This can make the downstream analysis challenging and requires bioinformatics skills.

In this module, we will introduce the most used sequencing technologies and explain their concepts. Using different datasets, we will practice quality control, alignment of reads to a reference genome and visualize the output.

Are you getting curious? All course materials can be found on the dedicated GitHub page.

Audience

This course is intended for life scientists who are already dealing with HTS data and would like to be able to start analysing them.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course participants should be able to:

understand the basics of the different HTS technologies
perform quality control for better downstream analysis
align reads to a reference genome
visualize the output

Prerequisites

Knowledge / competencies

You should meet the learning outcomes of: First Steps with UNIX in Life Sciences or the e-learning course UNIX Fundamentals.

In case of doubt, evaluate your Unix skills with this quiz.

Technical

Participants should bring their own computers. Software requirements will be communicated before the course.

Application

Registration fees for academics are 300 CHF and 1500 CHF for for-profit companies. While participants are registered on a first come, first served basis, exceptions may be made to ensure diversity and equity, which may increase the time before your registration is confirmed.

Applications will close as soon as the places will be filled up. Deadline for free-of-charge cancellation is set to 11/11/2025. Cancellation after this date will not be reimbursed.

You will be informed by email of your registration confirmation. Upon reception of the confirmation email, participants will be asked to confirm attendance by paying the fees within 5 days.

Venue and Time

This course will take place at the University of Bern.

This course will start at 9:15 and end around 17:15. Precise information will be provided to the participants on due time.

Additional information

Coordination: Monique Zahn, SIB Training group.

We will recommend 0.75 ECTS credits for this course (given a passed exam at the end of the course).

You are welcome to register to the SIB courses mailing list to be informed of all future courses and workshops, as well as all important deadlines using the form here.

Please note that participation in SIB courses is subject to our general conditions.

SIB abides by the ELIXIR Code of Conduct. Participants of SIB courses are also required to abide by the same code.

For more information, please contact training@sib.swiss.

Introduction to Sequencing Data Analysis