Human Ecosystems at EMBL

We're pleased to present our latest training collection, which introduces concepts and resources for exploring the effects of gene-environment interactions on human health: https://lnkd.in/eBbGDYpH This collection is suitable for anyone interested in understanding how interactions between genes and the environment can impact human health. No prior knowledge of bioinformatics is required, but undergraduate level knowledge of biology would be useful. It features relevant human cohort datasets, environmental readouts, and functional studies, and also emphasises the importance of ethical and legal frameworks regarding data privacy, consent, and genetic discrimination, which are crucial in this field. You can access this collection at any time and for free. Human Ecosystems at EMBL Dayane Araújo Ajay Mishra

Check out this job at European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI: Postdoctoral Fellow – Birney Research Come and join us at the amazing EBI to work on this really exciting new project. Using recent innovations in generative AI models to investigate drug exposure ~ genetics and traits in large human cohorts working with us and Open Targets as part of the EMBL human ecosystems transversal theme.

We’ve teamed up with AstraZeneca to offer an exciting postdoc opportunity. Push the boundaries of cutting-edge computational biology in oncology 🚀 Successful candidates will be awarded salary funding for three years to carry out a research project between a group at EMBL-EBI and Computational Oncology at AstraZeneca. This is a unique opportunity to combine methodological development and modelling with access to preclinical and clinical multi-omics data to drive forward research for patient benefit. This year we have two projects available: 🟢Dissecting the multicellular coordinated processes of cancer cell persistence from single-cell data 🟢DELPHI: Drug-Disease Interactions and Clinical Trial Applications Find out more about our EAZPOD fellowship and apply on our website.  https://lnkd.in/eKgbJMGg Deadline: 27 October 2024 #postdoc #postdoctoral #postdocjob 

We had a great 3 days in Utrecht discussing the latest developments in coordinating Exposome research globally. Exciting to be involved in such an important and developing field. Do consider joining the IHEN network if you are a researcher interested in how the environment impacts human health trajectories. https://humanexposome.net/

Meet Amy Foreman , Scientific Programme Manager at European Bioinformatics Institute | EMBL-EBI and one of the trainers on our course, "Gene-environment interactions in human health and disease": https://lnkd.in/emcVVpVE We caught up with Amy to discover more about her and what to expect on this course. ❔ What has been your career pathway so far? I have a background in ecotoxicology and prior to joining EMBL-EBI, was a Research Associate/Project Manager at the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge. I am particularly interested in the impact of science on society and have been involved in projects relating to public engagement and policy. I am currently coordinating EMBL's Human Ecosystems Transversal Theme across EMBL sites which sets out to gain a mechanistic understanding of how the environment shapes human health trajectories. The research, services and training being developed in the theme and with external collaborators has huge potential to positively impact both environmental and human health. ❔ What are you most looking forward to about this course? This is a unique course that provides an opportunity to learn about the latest methods being developed across fields and apply them to your own research questions. The course attracts an international audience with individuals attending from a range of disciplines (for example genomics, epidemiology, toxicology), each bringing their own unique personal and scientific experiences. With sessions led by experts in the field, this leads to engaging, interdisciplinary and thought-provoking discussions. ❔ What is your favourite thing about running training courses? Its a great opportunity to engage with individuals passionate about human health, learn how EBI resources are being used and form long lasting connections with individuals across countries. Would you like to join Amy and other expert trainers on this course? Make sure you apply by 15 December.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) focusing on common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) have advanced our understanding of the genetic causes of many traits and diseases. However, for some conditions, this method is reaching its limits. To better understand the genetic basis of diseases, researchers are turning to other types of genetic variation, such as copy number variation (CNV) – changes in the number of copies of a particular region of DNA. In this Nature Genetics review, researchers discuss:  ➡️ new technologies and computational tools that support the study of CNVs across the genome at scale  ➡️ limitations in resource infrastructure holding back the wider uptake of CNV-GWAS  ➡️ guidelines and standards needed for CNV-GWAS This shift opens opportunities to identify new genetic factors behind diseases, improve genetic disease risk modelling, and inform downstream applications such as drug discovery. Find out more and read the full review here. https://lnkd.in/euv5c8_g #bioinformatics #precisionmedicine #drugdiscovery

Are you a student in France studying computer science, statistics, or bioinformatics? We’ve partnered up with the French Embassy in the United Kingdom for a new round of internships at EMBL-EBI. These are a fantastic opportunity to enhance your skills and explore cutting-edge fields like biomedical research, biodiversity, agri-tech and more. Who can apply? ➡️ Students registered in French higher education at the Master's level or equivalent. ➡️ Please note: PhD students are not eligible for this program. 📆 Application deadline: 8 December 2024. Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dd9aYMzT Know someone who would be perfect for this opportunity? Tag them below 👇 #bioinformatics #internship 

Gut bacteria are stronger when in community 🤝 EMBL Heidelberg researchers compared the effect of drugs on isolated bacteria versus those growing in communities. They found that when bacteria are together, sensitive members can be protected from drugs due to communal cross-protection. This makes communities more robust to external perturbations. Knowledge of gut microbiome-drug interactions will help to design therapies with higher efficacy and less side effects in the future. https://lnkd.in/dQ9eAx4i

Plastic pollution is an environmental challenge. However, nature is creating its own solutions, such as plastic-eating bacteria. These remarkable microbes break down plastics into their basic components, having adapted to seek out unconventional sources of carbon to survive. Our scientists, working as part of the BlueRemediomics project, are on the hunt to find these plastic-eating enzymes within our oceans. This work uses data from the Tara Oceans expedition, metagenomic datasets hosted within the MGnify data resource, and predicted structures from the #AlphaFold Protein Structure Database. Find out more in this article by Nature Biotechnology's Ben Johnson, and discover other ways microbes are being used to tackle plastic pollution. https://lnkd.in/ewzdmUiR #plasticpollution #oceanresearch #bioinformatics

Iguaracy Pinheiro-de-Sousa uses bioinformatics to support the development of better organoids. After studying the molecular basis of heart disease, Iguaracy began focusing on computational work, because he was keen to understand the bigger picture. Iguraracy is now a postdoctoral fellow at EMBL-EBI, in the Petsalaki research group. He uses single-cell transcriptomics data to understand how different types of cells interact and communicate to form a tissue. One of the applications of his work is the development of organoids – miniaturised 3D tissue cultures, derived from stem cells, and designed to mimic the structure and function of organs. Organoids enable the study of human biology and support drug discovery. At the moment, organoids have many limitations, and are unable to capture the complexity of interactions in the body. Iguaracy hopes that his work will help to address some of these limitations. “I think the only way to make progress in organoid research is for computational and wet lab scientists to work together. The idea is to bring together deep computational data analysis, single-cell, biological and medical expertise to try and paint a comprehensive picture of what is happening at the cell level and how it can be mimicked within organoids,” said Pinheiro-de-Sousa. https://lnkd.in/eUX_aDeA #postdoclife #postdoc #organoids #bioinformatics Evangelia Petsalaki