Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Formation en bio-informatique à l’ Université de Montréal

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Outline Bioinformatics  Definition  Activities at UdeM  Shortage of skilled personnel  Training programs at UdeM  Fellowships at UdeM

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics - definition  Data acquisition  Data storage & retrieval  Data analysis  Development of tools  Design of algorithms & methods

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics activities at UdeM  History - Founders Robert Cedergren (Biochemistry) & David Sankoff (Mathematics, Computer Science): seminal paper on 5.8S rRNA (1976) in Nature  10 major research groups in departments Biochemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Pediatry, Physics  Collaborations within Quebec, Canada and world-wide

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics activities at UdeM Research areas  Comparative genome analysis  Phylogenetic inference  Structure modeling & prediction  Databases  Modeling of molecular evolution  Algorithms & computational methods

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics activities at UdeM Some research groups and expertise S.Chteinberg: RNA 2-D structure prediction; RNA-RNA interactions G.Burger: Comparative genome analysis & software development; integrated databases N.El-Mabrouk: Algorithmics of genome rearrangements; structure prediction S.Hamel: Algorithmics of trees and 2-D structures BF.Lang: Integrated databases; structure/function of sequence motifs F.Major: RNA 3-D structure modeling S.Mischnick: Protein-protein interaction N.Mousseau: Algorithmics of protein folding H.Philippe: Modeling of molecular evolution and tree robustness

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Shortage of skilled bioinformaticians Sector Academic, private and public (R&D) sectors Skills  Data production process control  Database design, implementation, curation  Data analysis pipelines using existing tools  Development of tools  Design of algorithms & methods Sought education BSc<MSc≤PhD “Biologists are confronted by a tidal wave of information. Unfortunately, few of them know how to swim.” - Economist Magazine, 26 June, 1999

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics training programs at UdeM Conception Departments of Biochemistry & Computer Science Aims  Solid training in both Computer & Life Sciences  Critical thinking  Initiative, creativity  Team player

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics training programs at UdeM Notable features  Trans-disciplinary courses  Theoretical and hands-on training  Problem-driven learning  Scientific communication  Autonomous research

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics training at UdeM Academic degree programs  Bachelor program (3 y)  Master’s program (2 y)  PhD program (3-4 y) Post-doctoral training

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics training at UdeM Number of students (Fall 2003)  Bachelor program: 49  Master’s program: 23  PhD program: 9  Post-docs: 12

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics B.Sc. program at UdeM Common Block Biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, bioinformatics, ethics Option Life Science Structural biology, ecology, neuroscience.. Option Computer Science Mathematics, simulation, engineering, db systems.. Other Disciplines Law, management, sociology.. Autonomous Research 3-month internship

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics B.Sc. program at UdeM Conditions of admission  College Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or equivalent  Basic French language Places 30 per year

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics M.Sc. program at UdeM Preparative Studies Individualized plan Common Block Algorithmics & applications in bioinformatics Specialization Bioinformatics, computer & life science; mathematics Research Workshops Scientific approaches, communication Internships 2 x 6-month in public or private sector Autonomous Research Academic project & thesis Duration Preparative courses 0-2 trimester Regular courses 2 trimester Research/internship ~1 year

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics M.Sc. program at UdeM Conditions of admission  B.Sc. in either  Computer Science  Life Sciences  Mathematics  or similar  Supervisor  Basic French language Number of places ~30

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics Ph.D. program at UdeM Preparative Studies Individualized plan Research Workshops, Conferences Autonomous Research Academic project & thesis Duration Preparative courses 0-1 trimester Regular courses Concomitant (6 credits) Research ~2-4 years

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics Ph.D. program at UdeM Conditions of admission  M.Sc. in  Bioinformatics, or  Equivalent bi-disciplinary training  Supervisor Number of places ~30

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics fellowships at UdeM biT – program of excellence  Funded by CIHR  $1,8 Mio over 6 years  Full financing of  Master’s & PhD studies  Post-doctoral training  Including preparative studies  Eligibility & Selection criteria  Enrolled at UdeM  Excellence in academic and/or professional performance

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Bioinformatics ‘mobility’ programs  Study exchange programs with most French universities  Academic internship exchange programs esp. with Université de Poitiers & d’Aurillac  Private sector internship agreements  Co-supervision of graduate students with researchers outside UdeM

Bioinformatics education at the Université de Montréal Programmes d’ étude en bio-informatique à l’ Université de Montréal Responsable: Gertraud Burger