An Open-Source Toolkit To Expand Bioinformatics Training in Infectious Diseases

Area of Science:

• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Infectious Diseases
• Genomics and Molecular Biology

Background:

• High-throughput sequencing has advanced biomedical research, shifting bottlenecks from data generation to data analysis.
• Effective bioinformatics training is essential to address the growing volume of genomic data.
• Analyzing host-parasite interactions in infectious diseases requires specialized bioinformatics skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a modular and extensible framework for bioinformatics education.
• To utilize publicly available RNA sequencing data for didactic purposes.
• To focus on host-parasite interactions within infectious disease research.

Main Methods:

• Development of a modular bioinformatics instructional framework.
• Integration of publicly available RNA sequencing datasets.
• Adaptation of course materials for virtual learning environments.

Main Results:

• The framework provides a structured approach to bioinformatics instruction.
• The use of real-world infectious disease data enhances learning relevance.
• Successful adaptation for virtual learners during the COVID-19 pandemic was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The described framework effectively supports bioinformatics education in infectious disease research.
• The modular design allows for extensibility and adaptation to diverse learning needs.
• Virtual learning adaptations demonstrate the framework's resilience and broad applicability.