Course Details
Overview
This intensive 4-day hands-on training program provides participants with a structured introduction to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), genomics workflows, sequencing technologies, and NGS data analysis.
The course covers the full workflow from experimental design, sample selection, DNA/RNA extraction principles, nucleic acid quality control, library preparation, sequencing platform overview, raw data quality assessment, read alignment, variant calling, gene expression analysis, data visualization, and translational applications of genomics.
Participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in key laboratory and bioinformatics steps used in modern genomics research. The workshop combines lectures, demonstrations, laboratory sessions, computer-based analysis, group work, and scientific discussion.
By the end of the course, participants will understand how NGS projects are planned, prepared, analyzed, and interpreted, with a strong focus on practical workflows, quality control, and biological meaning.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand the basic principles of genomics and Next-Generation Sequencing
- Compare major sequencing technologies including Illumina, Nanopore, and PacBio
- Understand how NGS projects are designed and planned
- Select appropriate sample types and experimental strategies for NGS applications
- Apply BSL-2 laboratory safety principles in molecular biology workflows
- Understand DNA/RNA extraction principles and nucleic acid quality requirements
- Perform or observe nucleic acid quantification and integrity assessment
- Understand the principles of library preparation and adapter ligation
- Explain DNA fragmentation, PCR amplification, cleanup, and library QC steps
- Understand sequencing platform setup and key run considerations
- Work with basic NGS data formats such as FASTQ files
- Interpret sequencing quality metrics and QC reports
- Understand read alignment, genome mapping, and variant calling principles
- Gain introductory knowledge of RNA-seq and gene expression analysis workflows
- Visualize and interpret NGS data in a biological context
- Understand applications of NGS in cancer genomics, precision medicine, RNA-seq, single-cell technologies, and multi-omics research
Target Audience
This course is ideal for:
- Master’s and PhD students
- Research assistants and laboratory technicians
- Biomedical, biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, and life science students
- Researchers entering genomics or sequencing-based research
- Scientists who want to understand NGS workflows from sample preparation to data interpretation
- Professionals working in academic, biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, or translational research environments
- Participants interested in genomics, precision medicine, cancer research, RNA-seq, single-cell technologies, or bioinformatics
Course Program
Day 1: Introduction to Next-Generation Sequencing & Experimental Design
Focus: NGS fundamentals and workflow understanding
| Time | Activity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Welcome & Course Overview | Lecture |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Introduction to BSL-2 Guidelines & Laboratory Safety | Lecture |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Introduction to Genomics & NGS Technologies: Illumina, Nanopore and PacBio | Lecture |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Coffee Break | |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Experimental Design for NGS Projects & Sample Selection | Lecture |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | DNA/RNA Extraction Principles & Quality Control | Lecture + Demo |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:15 – 16:30 | Nucleic Acid Quantification & Integrity Assessment | Laboratory |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Q&A & Wrap-up | Discussion & Q&A |
Day 2: Library Preparation & Sequencing Workflow
Focus: Preparing samples for sequencing
| Time | Activity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Overview Day 2 & Workflow Discussion | Q&A |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Principles of Library Preparation & Adapter Ligation | Lecture |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:45 – 12:30 | DNA Fragmentation & Library Preparation Workflow | Laboratory |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | PCR Amplification & Cleanup of Libraries | Laboratory |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Library Quality Control & Quantification | Laboratory |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:15 – 16:30 | Sequencing Platforms & Run Setup | Lecture + Demo |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Wrap-up | Discussion & Q&A |
Day 3: Bioinformatics & NGS Data Analysis
Focus: From raw reads to biological insights
| Time | Activity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Introduction to NGS Data Formats & Pipelines | Lecture |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Quality Control of Sequencing Data: FASTQ Files and QC Metrics | Lecture + Demo |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:45 – 12:30 | Read Alignment & Genome Mapping | Computer Session |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | Variant Calling & Gene Expression Analysis Basics | Computer Session |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:15 – 16:30 | Data Visualization & Interpretation | Lecture + Demo |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Q&A & Discussion | Discussion |
Day 4: Applications of Genomics & Translational NGS
Focus: Clinical and research applications
| Time | Activity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Applications of NGS in Research & Precision Medicine | Lecture |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 10:15 – 11:30 | Cancer Genomics, RNA-Seq & Single-Cell Technologies | Lecture |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Introduction to Multi-omics Integration | Lecture |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | Mini Project: Analysis & Interpretation of an Example NGS Dataset | Group Work |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:15 – 16:00 | Group Presentations & Scientific Discussion | Presentation & Discussion |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Final Wrap-up, Feedback & Certificates | Q&A |
What Participants Will Gain
Participants will gain:
- Practical understanding of NGS and genomics workflows
- Knowledge of major sequencing technologies including Illumina, Nanopore, and PacBio
- Understanding of experimental design and sample selection for NGS projects
- Practical insight into DNA/RNA extraction principles and nucleic acid quality control
- Hands-on experience with nucleic acid quantification and integrity assessment
- Understanding of library preparation, adapter ligation, DNA fragmentation, PCR amplification, and cleanup steps
- Knowledge of library quality control and sequencing run setup
- Introductory experience with NGS data formats, FASTQ files, and sequencing QC metrics
- Practical understanding of read alignment, genome mapping, variant calling, and gene expression analysis basics
- Skills in data visualization and biological interpretation of sequencing results
- Insight into applications of NGS in cancer genomics, RNA-seq, single-cell analysis, precision medicine, and multi-omics
- Experience working on a mini NGS data interpretation project
- Preparation for future work in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, biotechnology, and translational research
