Grant: Meetings, Planning & Dissemination Grant: Cancer Research

As for other aspects of human and health research, bioinformatics skills are playing a fundamental role in cancer research today, particularly with the introduction of many high-throughput (HT) technologies such as next-generation sequencing platforms into cancer research projects across Canada. However, acquiring the advanced level bioinformatics skills required of these new technologies and data sets is often challenging because adequate training programs do not exist. The Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops (CBW) will develop an intensive 5-day 'Bioinformatics in Cancer Genomics' (BiCG) workshop to provide such advanced training opportunities for cancer researchers. Training in the proposed BiCG workshop will focus on: 1) experimental design for useful statistical and clinical outcomes; 2) working with next generation sequence and array data to detect genomic variation; 3) visualization of HT data sets; 4) interpreting large data sets effectively and implementing the correct analyses; 5) integrating biological and pathway information; and 6) data pipeline strategies and tools. By providing a comprehensive program in cancer specific bioinformatics tools, the BiCG workshop aims to enhance the informatic skill set of the cancer research community in Canada. By enhancing the research capacity of our scientists, the workshop will have a positive impact on cancer research and discoveries. The CBW is a national training program in computational biology established in 1999, and has a proven track record in delivering effective bioinformatics training to the Canadian research community, significantly impacting health research in Canada. The CBW is seeking support from the CIHR, Institute of Cancer Research for a BiCG workshop in 2011. The CBW is requesting $15,075, which constitutes 25% of the total budget for the proposed BiCG workshop. Registration fees will generate 49% and cash/in-kind contributions of 27% have been secured from external sources.