The Ensembl project at www.ensembl.org provides a comprehensive and integrated source of annotation of mainly vertebrate genome sequences. This 1-day workshop offers participants the possibility of gaining hands-on experience in the use of the Ensembl genome browser but also provides them with the necessary background information. Our sister project at www.ensemblgenomes.org can also be covered if participants are working with bacteria, plants, fungi, protists or (invertebrate) metazoa.

Venue of workshop: online - Zoom link will be provided to those who are selected. 

Dates for the workshop: 26 and 28 April 2021 (2 X half days from 9am - 1 pm CAT)

Workshop organisers: Emily Perry (Trainer), Nicola Mulder, Darren Martin, Verena Ras 

Registration opens:  15 April 2021 

Registration closes: 21 April 2021

Notification date: 23 April  (accepted participants)

Link to application form: please click here

Participation: People who will be using or are using the Ensembl genome browser for their research, or would like to learn more about how to use the Ensembl browser. Selection will be done via an application process.

Workshop Sponsors: H3ABioNet and Ensembl 

Course Overview: The Ensembl project at www.ensembl.org provides a comprehensive and integrated source of annotation of mainly vertebrate genome sequences. This 1-day workshop offers participants the possibility of gaining hands-on experience in the use of the Ensembl genome browser but also provides them with the necessary background information. Our sister project at www.ensemblgenomes.org can also be covered if participants are working with bacteria, plants, fungi, protists or (invertebrate) metazoa.

Intended Audience: Wet-lab researchers and bioinformaticians 

Objectives: After this workshop participants should be able to:

  • view genomic regions and manipulate the view to add features they are interested in.
  • explore information about genes and their sequences, and gene data in bulk using BioMart.
  • analyse genomic variants and associated phenotypes and their own variation data using the VEP.
  • view homologous genes and genomic regions, functional elements involved in gene regulation and their activity in different cell types.

Syllabus and Tools:

Day 1: Introduction to Ensembl and Ensembl genes. Viewing genes and locations in the browser. Variation and the VEP

Day 2: Comparative Genomics - gene trees, homologues and whole genome alignments. Features that regulate gene expression. Data export with BioMart.

Prerequisites: None

Link to training materials: http://training.ensembl.org/events/upcoming/ 

Feedback from previous courses: "There are probably quite few people out there who all assume that Ensembl today is the same as it was years ago. It is not. With many new features and datasets incorporated/interlinked, it offers data exploration like never before. This course was a very useful update on what Ensembl has become" Browser workshop, CRUK, April 2016

"Very useful workshop, certainly one of the most informative and useful I have attended. Delivered by someone who was extremely familiar with the website and its capabilities, not someone who had used it a couple of times and proclaimed themselves to be an expert." Browser workshop, Cardiff, March 2014

If you think you'd like to host a similar course at your institute, you can find out more on the Ensembl workshops page.