Armenian Bioinformatics Institute

🔁 Still thinking about joining? Don’t miss your chance!

Our Introduction to Statistics bridge course is starting soon — a great opportunity to build a strong foundation in data analysis and prepare for OMICSS-26.

📅 April 16 – May 7
📍 ABI, Yerevan
❗ Deadline: April 12

Apply now 👇
https://www.abi.am/.../omicss-26-introduction-to-statistics

🌟 Master the fundamentals of statistics! 🌟

Our Introduction to Statistics bridge course is the perfect starting point for those new to the field. Taught by Alisa Davtyan, this beginner-friendly course will provide you with the essential statistical knowledge needed to succeed in data analysis.

Course Details:
📅 Dates: April 16 - May 7
🕖 Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:00 - 20:30
📍 Location: ABI, Yerevan, Armenia
❗ Application Deadline: April 12

Topics Covered:
• Descriptive Statistics: Summarize and interpret data 🧮
• Probability Theory: Key concepts and applications 🎲
• Inferential Statistics: Confidence intervals, hypothesis testing & p-values 📉
• Data Analysis with Python: Use Python libraries like Statsmodels, Pandas & Seaborn

💡 This course is ideal for beginners and those looking to build statistical skills for data analysis.

🔗 Learn more and apply now - basic Python knowledge is desirable: https://www.abi.am/training/omicss-26-introduction-to-statistics

📄🍇 New Publication Highlight

ABI’s Binder Lab has published a new study on Armenian grapevine diversity titled “Population structure of wild and cultivated grapevines in Armenia”.

The study presents the first comprehensive genomic analysis of 164 Armenian grapevine accessions, both cultivated varieties and their wild ancestors. Using whole-genome sequencing, the team identified three genetic subgroups of cultivated grapevines following a west-to-east gradient, as well as four subgroups of wild grapevines from Syunik.

The results also highlight genomic regions associated with domestication and identify candidate variants linked to traits such as berry skin color and bunch density.

👩‍🔬 Authors: Maria Nikoghosyan, Emma Hovhannisyan, Nate Zadirako, Shengchang Duan, Armine Asatryan, Arsen Arakelyan, Kristine Margaryan, Anush Baloyan, Tomas Konecny, Hans Binder

This work highlights Armenia as an important reservoir of grapevine diversity and provides a basis for conservation and breeding.

🔗Read more: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-026-08287-2

🔬 Wrapping Up Our Introduction to Molecular Biology Course! 🧬
Our Introduction to Molecular Biology bridge course has officially come to an end!

Over the past weeks, participants built a strong foundation in molecular biology, and we wrapped up the final class with a fun and interactive session:

🧠 A final quiz to test their knowledge

🔬 A lab visit, where participants explored real research environments and saw an Illumina sequencer up close

🍬 A creative activity synthesizing “proteins” from candy

🍪 And a sweet surprise — chromosome-shaped cookies, kindly prepared by our lecturer

👏 A huge thank you to all our participants for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication throughout the course!

🌟 Special thanks to Dr. Roxana Zakharyan for leading the course with such energy and care, and for making science both engaging and memorable, and to Teaching Assistant Mher Kurghinyan for his support and help throughout the course.

📸 Swipe through to see highlights from the classes!

We’re excited to see many of you continue your journey with OMICSS-26 🚀

⏰ Reminder: Application Deadline Approaching!

There are only a few days left to apply for our Introduction to Programming: Python for Genomic Data Science bridge course led by Alisa Davtyan.

This beginner-friendly course is designed to help participants build fundamental programming skills and prepare for the OMICSS-26 Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

📅 Course dates: Mar 19 – Apr 9
📍 Location: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute, Yerevan
🗓 Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays
🕖 Time: 19:00–20:30

❗ Application deadline: March 15

💻 Build Your Foundation in Programming! 🚀

Our Introduction to Programming: Python for Genomic Data Science bridge course, led by Alisa Davtyan, is designed to help beginners develop essential coding skills and prepare for the OMICSS-26 Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

📅 Mar 19 - Apr 9
📍 ABI, Yerevan
🗓 Twice a week — Tuesday & Thursday
🕖 19:00–20:30

⏳ Apply now — the course has limited spots available. Priority will be given to applicants planning to apply for the summer school.

Whether you are completely new to programming or looking to strengthen your fundamentals, this course will introduce you to core concepts, logical thinking, and practical problem-solving skills essential for bioinformatics and data analysis.

Take your first step toward computational biology and expand your skill set in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment.

🔗 Learn more & apply: https://www.abi.am/training/omicss-26-introduction-to-programming-python-for-genomic-data-science

🌟 OMICSS-26 Summer School Early Bird Registration is Now Open! 🌟

🚀 Applications are now open for OMICSS-26, the fifth edition of our beginner-friendly Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

🧬 Designed especially for those stepping into bioinformatics, OMICSS-26 offers hands-on training at the intersection of bioinformatics, data science, and life sciences. Participants will explore modern molecular technologies, bioinformatics algorithms, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and work on a real-world bioinformatics project.

🗝️ New to the field? Optional bridge courses in molecular biology, programming, and statistics are offered separately to help beginners build essential background knowledge before the summer school.

📌 Key Information Not to Miss

📍 Location: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI), Yerevan, Armenia
📅 Program Dates: July 20 – August 14, 2026
❗ Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 10
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dcGXbEzS

The 2026 edition is organized in partnership with ARCS.ai and the Institute of Molecular Biology, reinforcing the program’s strong academic and technological foundation and fostering closer collaboration between research, education, and innovation. 🤝