BIO-ABI-2026-01 | Applied bioinformatics and biostatistics | Education Voucher

Note: The first 5 modules take place online (live). The sixth module (the internship) can be completed on-site at an institute or company where you live, and sometimes remotely, meaning also online.

Costs are covered (for this further training) with an education voucher, if you receive or are eligible to receive an education voucher from the Employment Agency or the Job Center or you cover the costs yourself if you are a self-paying participant and the training is not paid for by the Employment Agency or Jobcenter through an education voucher.

You will learn statistics and programming for the interface between biosciences and bioinformatics. This includes evaluation methods such as sequence analysis, next generation sequencing (NGS), the visualization of structures, the use of molecular biology databases and the application of statistical methods with R / R Studio. You will round off your profile with elements of programming. This includes writing small analysis scripts using the Python programming language.

Module 1: Introduction to programming and Python

• Application strategies, professional profile, and perspectives
• Introduction to Linux and Bash (Bourne-again shell) under Linux
• Fundamentals of programming (programming methodology, pseudocode, data structures)
• Version control and code documentation (Git/GitHub)
• Introduction to the Python programming language
• Object-oriented programming in Python

Module 2:. Bioinformatics and biodatabases

• NCBI and interaction databases
• Biopython: Web services
• Database management
• Relational database schema, SQL integration

Module 3: Applied bioinformatics

• Sequence analysis, sequencing strategies
• Pairwise and multiple alignments, BLAST variants
• Structural bioinformatics, software for structure visualization
• Automated image recognition methods. Digital image processing. Example: Automatic cell and area calculation

Module 4: Applied biostatistics

• Fundamentals of statistics, descriptive and multivariate statistics
• Statistical analysis with R/R-Studio
• Variance, principal component, cluster, and discriminant analysis
• Concepts of machine learning (Markov chain implementation)
• Artificial neural networks/networks
• Application of artificial intelligence (AI), especially programs like ChatGPT

Module 5: Next Generation Sequencing

• Introduction to NGS. Basics of NGS
• Familiarization with NGS data formats (FASTQ, SAM/BAM)
• Installation of NGS programs/tools
• Processing of sequencing data (quality control, trimming, mapping)
• Use of Conda for creating and managing software environments for NGS data analysis
• Creating NGS workflows (Galaxy and Snakemake or R and Nextflow)

Module 6: Internship

• Joint organization of a project phase in a company / institute
  – Individual application coaching
  – Comparison of independently compiled company lists with the CQ company network for better coordination
  – Providing research tools (platforms, associations, clubs, technology parks, job advertisements)
• Opportunity to apply the learned skills in a work process with real data
• For participants not residing in Berlin, the internship can be completed in the vicinity of their place of residence or remotely
• The gateway to a job
  – Support during the application process
  – Researched job advertisements (nationwide in Germany) will be provided

      Researched job advertisements will be sent by email to former participants up to 6 months after completing the training.

The prerequisite for participation is

• Your interest in the subject areas of biology and computer science.
• Good English skills, solid basic knowledge of biology and mathematics
• Experience of working with IT applications are required.

An internship in a company or institute improves your career prospects. You can apply what you have learned in a work process with real data and test yourself in the process. If required, you will also receive job advertisements from CQ up to 6 months after completing your training to support your application process.