Computational Genomics Course | 12-Week Postgraduate Program | IISER Bhopal

Course Details

Unlock the Secrets of Life's Blueprint: A Comprehensive Guide to Computational Genomics

In an era defined by biological Big Data, the ability to decipher genomic information is no longer a niche skill but a fundamental requirement for modern biological research and innovation. From personalized medicine to conservation biology, computational genomics sits at the heart of groundbreaking discoveries. This detailed blog explores a premier 12-week postgraduate course designed to equip you with the essential skills to navigate and master this exciting field.

Course Overview: Your Pathway to Genomic Expertise

Title: Computational Genomics
Level: Postgraduate
Duration: 12 Weeks
Categories: Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Computational Biology

This intensive course is structured to transform students and researchers from beginners to proficient practitioners in genomic data analysis. It moves beyond button-clicking, focusing on building strong conceptual foundations and providing deep insights into the algorithms and methods that power modern genomics.

Learn from a Pioneering Instructor: Prof. Vineet K. Sharma

The course is led by Prof. Vineet K. Sharma, an Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal. With a PhD in Bioinformatics and Biomedical Sciences and extensive postdoctoral research experience at RIKEN, Japan, Prof. Sharma brings a wealth of knowledge and a global perspective.

His laboratory is at the forefront of genomic research, having achieved several world-firsts, including sequencing the genomes of the Peacock, Indian Tiger, Turmeric, Banyan tree, and native Indian cow breeds. His team also conducts large-scale human microbiome studies and employs AI/ML for big data analysis in biology. Learning from an instructor with such direct, groundbreaking experience provides unparalleled insight into real-world genomic challenges and solutions.

Who Should Enroll?

INTENDED AUDIENCE: This course is ideal for BSc, MSc, MPhil, and PhD students, as well as researchers and professionals in life sciences seeking to upskill.

PREREQUISITES: A basic understanding of molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or related fields is required. Familiarity with any programming language will be highly beneficial for grasping the computational aspects.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: The skills taught are directly relevant to bioinformatics and life science companies such as TCS Life Sciences, Reliance Life Sciences, WIPRO Life Sciences, and Siemens Healthineers, enhancing career prospects in both academia and industry.

Detailed 12-Week Course Curriculum

The course is meticulously designed to take you on a complete journey through the computational genomics pipeline.

Weeks 1-3: Foundations & Tools

You'll start with an introduction to omics fields (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metagenomics) and explore biological databases (NCBI, EBI, Ensembl, KEGG). The curriculum then dives into sequencing technologies—from Sanger to Illumina, Nanopore, and PacBio—and essential computational skills, including Linux command line operations and programming with R for genomic analysis.

Weeks 4-7: Genome Sequencing & Assembly

This core module covers the entire workflow from sample collection and DNA extraction to the heart of genomics: genome assembly. You will learn about sequencing coverage, read types (short, long, linked-reads), quality control, and key algorithms like De-Bruijn graphs. Hands-on experience with tools like Flye, Supernova (for 10X Genomics), Guppy, and wtdbg will be provided. The section concludes with assembly polishing, quality assessment (using N50, BUSCO scores), and achieving chromosomal-level assemblies with Hi-C data.

Weeks 8-10: Annotation & Analysis

Once a genome is assembled, the next step is to annotate its features. You'll learn to identify repeats, predict genes (using pipelines like MAKER), and perform functional annotation with tools like BLAST, InterProScan, and Pfam. The course also covers evolutionary analysis, phylogenetics, and advanced topics like epigenetics (ChIP-seq) and single-cell genomics.

Weeks 11-12: Prokaryotic Genomes & Metagenomics

The final weeks apply the learned concepts to prokaryotic genome analysis and the complex world of metagenomics. You'll explore microbiome analysis, metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), and taxonomic profiling using amplicon sequencing, directly linking to the instructor's expertise in human and environmental microbiomes.

Essential Learning Resources

The course recommends two foundational textbooks to supplement your learning:

• Bioinformatics: Sequence and Genome Analysis by David Mount
• Computational Genome Analysis: An Introduction by Richard C. Deonier, Simon Tavare, & Michael S. Waterman

Why Choose This Computational Genomics Course?

This program stands out due to its comprehensive curriculum, practical tool-based approach, and instruction by a leading researcher. It doesn't just teach you how to use software; it explains the underlying principles, enabling you to troubleshoot, adapt, and innovate. Whether you aim to analyze a novel species' genome, study disease microbiomes, or launch a career in bioinformatics, this course provides the critical knowledge and skills to succeed in the data-driven future of biology.

Embark on this 12-week journey to transform raw sequencing data into profound biological insights and position yourself at the cutting edge of life sciences research.

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