Over the last decade, massively parallel DNA sequencing has markedly impacted the practice of modern biology and is being utilized in the practice of medicine. The constant improvement of these platforms means that costs and data generation timelines have been reduced by orders of magnitude, facilitating investigators to conceptualize and perform sequencing-based projects that heretofore were time-, cost-, and sample number-prohibitive. Furthermore, the application of these technologies to answer questions previously not experimentally approachable is broadening their impact and application. However, data analysis remains a complex and often vexing challenge, especially as data volumes increase.

This intensive two-week course provides a comprehensive introduction to genomics technologies and bioinformatics, with a strong emphasis on hands-on data analysis. The appropriateness of different sequence data types and issues of data quality will be emphasized. Participants will explore both short- and long-read sequencing platforms, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, bulk RNA-seq, epigenomics, and variant analysis through a combination of lectures, labs, and group exercises. Topics include experimental design, command line basics, cloud computing, genome arithmetic, differential expression, variant calling, and data visualization in R and Python. Students will gain experience with widely used tools and file formats (e.g., FASTQ, BAM, IGV, Cell Ranger, Loupe, etc), while engaging in interactive assignments that mirror real-world applications in cancer genomics, agriculture, clinical diagnostics, and more. Guest lectures, alumni talks, and team-based projects complement a rigorous, application-driven curriculum designed to prepare students for high-impact genomic research.

We encourage applicants from a diversity of scientific backgrounds including molecular evolution, development, neuroscience, medicine, cancer, plant biology and microbiology.  

An overview of the course schedule can be found here. Please note that schedules are subject to change.

Support & Stipends:

Major support provided by: National Human Genome Research Institute.

Stipends are available to offset tuition costs as follows:

• US applicants (National Human Genome Research Institute).


• International applicants (Howard Hughes Medical Institute).

Please indicate your eligibility for funding in your stipend request submitted when you apply to the course. Stipend requests do not affect selection decisions made by the instructors.