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

Applied Bioinformatics: Microbiomes

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:30

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, visualization libraries for Python. 2. Analysis of marker-gene and metagenome 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
40

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Applied Bioinformatics: Microbiomes No time listed 2 h weekly
exercise Applied Bioinformatics: Microbiomes No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In