EMBL-EBI bioinformatics training resources

Bioinformatics is an ever-changing field with a constantly evolving and expanding range of methods, tools, and resources. For those working in the life sciences, training in bioinformatics is essential to develop the skills and knowledge required to handle these changes and the growing amount of biological data.
EMBL-EBI provides a range of training across the field of data-driven life sciences, including hands-on training for researchers to help them get started with analysing their own data and training on EMBL-EBI data services to assist users with accessing, using, and submitting data.
The training provided by EMBL-EBI covers various formats including face-to-face courses on site at EMBL-EBI and at host organisations, virtual courses conducted online, webinars, and on-demand self-paced tutorials and recorded webinars, which are freely available on the EMBL-EBI Training website for anyone to access, anytime. A number of these courses and on-demand materials have been developed in collaboration with external partners through grant-funded activities.

Webinars
EMBL-EBI runs frequent webinars on a wide range of topics in the data-driven life sciences, including discussions of bioinformatics methodologies, overview of data analyses, and demonstrations of data resources. The webinars are open for anyone to register and all webinars provide the opportunity for attendees to ask questions to the trainers. Many of our webinars are part of a series on a particular theme and we will soon be starting our new series Exploring microbial ecosystems. During this series, expert trainers from a diverse range of backgrounds will explore concepts, methodologies, and resources for examining microbial ecosystems and their influence on the environment and human health. Our upcoming webinars are available for registration now.
On-demand training
EMBL-EBI on-demand training covers concepts in bioinformatics, introducing a biological audience to different areas of the data-driven life sciences, as well as guides to getting started with EMBL-EBI data resources and tools.
In the on-demand section of the EMBL-EBI Training website you will find:
- Online tutorials – self-paced tutorials, including introductions to a wide range of topics in bioinformatics and EMBL-EBI resources, including Bioinformatics for the terrified for those starting out in the field
- Recorded webinars – recordings of our live webinars which include demonstrations of EMBL-EBI data resources, the recent webinar An introduction to EMBL-EBI resources may be a great place to start
- Collections – curated collections of on-demand training on a specific topic, such as biostatistics, data-driven plant sciences, and chemical biology
- Course materials – slides, practicals and recordings from our live courses

A search box, featured on the EMBL-EBI Training homepage and across the course listings pages, allows you to find training on the topic you are interested in and includes autocomplete suggestions to help you find the right keywords to search with. If you’re not sure where to start, the Collections, covering topics such as biostatistics, chemical biology, and data-driven plant sciences, can help guide you and can be selected using the ‘refine’ filters on the left of the listings pages.
Once you have found training on a topic of interest, each resource includes an overview of what is covered, a description of the intended target audience, the learning objectives, and a suggested length of time that it will take to complete the resource. This information is there to help you identify if the training is suitable for you. The resources are also very flexible, you can either study the full on-demand resource or you can focus on sections that are relevant to you. To jump between sections, use the navigation bar on the left or the arrows at the bottom of the page. You can also choose whether to complete the resource in one go, or over several visits.

Competencies
To support the use of EMBL-EBI Training by both learners and trainers, both live and on-demand training is associated with competencies from bioinformatics-related competency frameworks, such as the ISCB framework for computational biology. Each relevant competency is listed along with a link to the framework’s page on the EMBL-EBI Competency Hub to learn more.
Competencies can be used by learners to identify required knowledge, skills and attitudes for their chosen career path or job role and to determine suitable learning. They can also be used by teachers or trainers to identify if the training resources are relevant to their students.
Learn more about the EMBL-EBI Competency Hub with this previous FEBS Network post.
Track your learning
All on-demand training is openly available, no registration is required to access the content. However, for those who would like, it is possible to create a free account for the EMBL-EBI Training website, which provides the option for learners to track completion of training through a bespoke ‘My learning’ page and create playlists of on-demand content.

Playlists can be used to plan your own learning or shared with others, on popular social media platforms as well as via email, including those who have not created accounts. This playlist on Structural bioinformatics will give you an idea about how playlists can be used.

Registration for the EMBL-EBI Training website also provides the opportunity to join a mailing list to receive bimonthly emails about what’s new in on-demand training and upcoming webinars.
Reuse training materials
The EMBL-EBI on-demand training is also available for lecturers, teachers, and trainers to use in their teaching too. It is made openly available for anyone who would like to reuse it. Content is made available under the Creative Commons CC-BY licence, meaning that they can be used, copied or adapted, provided you give appropriate credit.
If you have a question about using EMBL-EBI training resources you can contact us at [email protected].
All images from EMBL-EBI
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