Computational and Systems Biology Workshop 2025

24 – 26 February 2025, Durban, South Africa

Organiser:

Saheed Sabiu (Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, South Africa)

Co-organiser:

Stefano Cacciatore (Bioinformatics Unit, ICGEB Cape Town, South Africa)

Contact:

[email protected]; [email protected]

In collaboration with:

Deadline for receipt of applications:
10 January 2025
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Computational and Systems Biology is a sought-after research area in bioinformatics and constitutes one of the scarce skills in South Africa. This workshop within the niche of glocal digital transformation and application of artificial intelligence, will inspire innovation and equip postgraduate students and emerging scholars to be competitively relevant in generating new knowledge and solutions in this digital era.
The workshop will comprise scientific presentations and hands-on training to equip the participants with the necessary bioinformatics/computational skills required to generate and mine high-throughput genomic data, encompassing quality control and metagenomic (16S/18S rRNA and ITS) analyses of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data as well as metabolomics and computational bioprospection of both protein and chemical space data with specific focus on three aspects: 3D protein structure modelling; 3D ligand acquisition and their Density Functional Theory (DFT) feature; and advanced molecular dynamics simlation. The presentations will be delivered by well-established bioinformaticians and genomics experts, who will strive to encourage discussion/exchange of scientific ideas, and foster collaboration and networking opportunities. The hands-on sessions will offer training opportunities, where postgraduate students, emerging scholars and other stakeholders would benefit in terms of knowledge transfer and human capacity building.

Themes and topics to be covered

• An overview of metabolomics workflow & data processing/analysis via MetaboAnalyst
• Introduction to Linux and command lines for new chemical entity bioprospection
• Introduction to Linux and command lines for NGS data analysis
• 16S/18S/ITS metagenomics

Targeted audience and space availability

Postgraduate students and emerging scholars with keen interests in computational and systems biology and or bioinformatics. Only 50 participants would be accommodated, and this would be based on your responses and first come first served basis.

Registration/participation fee

The workshop will be free and postgraduate students from historically disadvantaged institutions are particularly encouraged to apply. However, participants willing to attend from outside Durban must be able to cover for their accommodation and transport costs for the duration of the workshop.

Confirmed Speakers

• Prof. Martin Nyaga
  Professor: Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Surveillance and Pathogen Genomics, University of the Free State, South Africa
• Prof. Mahmoud E. Soliman
  Professor and Principal Investigator: Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
• Dr. Fidele Tugizimana
  Principal Investigator and Director: The UJ Research Centre for Plant Metabolomics and Deputy Head of Biochemistry Department (Research), University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Prof. Rajshekhar Karpoormath
  Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Principal Investigator: Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry Research Group (SMCRG), University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• Prof. Kugen Permaul
  Professor of Molecular Biology and Enzyme Technology. Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology.
• Prof. Serepa-Dlamini Mahloro
  Head of Department and Professor of Bacterial Genomics and Biotechnology. Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Johannesburg.

Facilitators

1. A. G. Mushebenge (Stellenbosch University)
2. E. Akintemi (University of South Africa)
3. G. Gyebi (Durban University of Technology)
4. O. Adedirin (Durban University of Technology)
5. A. Rukayat (Durban University of Technology)
6. L. Adedayo (Durban University of Technology)
7. T. Fidele (University of Johannesburg)
8. K. Othibeng (University of Johannesburg)
9. M. Akhona (University of Johannesburg)
10. L. Motseoa (University of Johannesburg)
11. C. E. Aruwa (Durban University of Technology)
12. C. Peter (Durban University of Technology)
13. S. Cacciatore (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology)
14. S. Sabiu (Durban University of Technology)

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