In partnership with the Bioconductor community, IITA–CGIAR hosted an intensive, week-long Bioconductor workshop in Nairobi. The workshop aimed to enhance bioinformatics expertise across Africa, and equipped participants with practical skills in genomic data analysis, with a special focus on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis.
The workshop commenced with a two-day introduction to R and Bioconductor, focusing on data handling, visualization, and reproducible research practices tailored for genomic data analysis. Midweek sessions zeroed in on RNA-seq workflows, guiding attendees through preprocessing to differential expression analysis using real-world datasets. The week concluded with a “Bring your own data” day, allowing participants to apply their newly acquired skills to personal projects under the close guidance of instructors.
Some of the highlights of the course delivery included the instructors’ use of sticky notes to create smoother interactions with participants. These served two main purposes: helping instructors quickly see whether participants were keeping up or needed support and collecting immediate feedback after each session. This real-time feedback allowed instructors to adjust and improve the upcoming sessions throughout the week. By day three, participants were divided into breakout rooms. Those who needed additional help based on their progress in the first two days received more focused support, while the rest of the group continued with the main sessions. By the end of the course, all participants had completed the intended material and developed a solid grasp of the content.
In addition to the workshop, attendees received a tour of IITA laboratories, giving them an up-close look at ongoing real-life projects. This experience provided invaluable insights into how bioinformatics skills can be applied to address current agricultural research and development challenges.
“Hosting this Bioconductor workshop at IITA Nairobi has been an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between computational biology and agricultural research,” said IITA Bioinformatician Trushar Shah.
“It has been inspiring to see how quickly the participants have grasped complex bioinformatics concepts and applied them to their datasets,” he added.
The workshop was led by a distinguished team of Carpentries certified instructors from the Bioconductor community, including both local bioinformatics experts and experienced international instructors. This blend ensured a diversity of perspectives and expertise, fostering a strong collaborative learning environment.
This workshop, supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative through an EOSS Cycle 6 grant, is part of Bioconductor’s expanded global training program. It reflects a commitment to building bioinformatics capacity in Africa. The success of this event shows the growing interest and investment in bioinformatics within the region.
Contributed by Rose-Harriet Okech
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