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752-5500-00L 5 Credits MSC D-HEST , D-INFK , D-BSSE

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Applied Bioinformatics: Microbiomes

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Nicholas Bokulich

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:01:59

Abstract

Learn to apply practical bioinformatics/computational skills for analysis of microbiomes in foods and human health! Students will apply basic programming skills for scientific computing and bioinformatics, and learn and discuss the importance of microbiomes to foods and human health, through recognition and comparison of ecological theory, methodology, and experimental design across systems.

Objective

Learn to apply bioinformatics and computational methods for analysis of microbiome next-generation sequencing data. A secondary goal is to critically examine the relevance of microbiomes to food quality, safety, and human health, through application of theory and appropriate experimental design. Students completing this course will thus be able to both apply appropriate methodology to study microbiomes (or other high-dimensional data) in different systems, as well as evaluate and interpret bioinformatics results.

Content

1. Introduction to microbiomes and microbial bioinformatics toolkit. Python, Pandas, Jupyter, GitHub, visualization libraries for Python. 2. Analysis of marker-gene sequence data for microbiome profiling. QIIME 2, database searching, taxonomic classification, phylogenetics. 3. Microbial diversity, function, and ecology. Molecular ecology, diversity metrics, ordination methods. 4. Advanced topics in microbial bioinformatics. Metagenomics, machine learning, functional analysis, data visualization, et cetera. This course requires extensive engagement in learning outside of the classroom (using online resources and practical exercises), with a focus on active learning in the classroom.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Max Places: 30

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Applied Bioinformatics: Microbiomes	Tue 10:15-12:00 (LFW C 1)	2 h weekly
exercise	Applied Bioinformatics: Microbiomes	Wed 10:15-12:00 (LFW C 4)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Food Science Master
- Major in Food Quality and Safety
  - Methodology Subjects
- Major in Nutrition and Health
  - Methodology Subjects
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Master (More information at: )
- Advanced Courses (A total of 30 ECTS needs to be acquired in the Advanced Courses category. Thereof at least 16 ECTS in the Theory and at least 10 ECTS in the Biology category. Note that some of the lectures are being recorded: )
  - Theory (At least 16 ECTS need to be acquired in this category.)