Welcome to the "Bioinformatics Essentials: A 12-Hour Primer" course! This introductory program is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in bioinformatics, the interdisciplinary field that combines biology, computer science, and data analysis to understand and interpret biological data.

Over the next 12 hours, you'll embark on a journey that demystifies the complex world of bioinformatics. This course is ideal for beginners—whether you're a biologist eager to leverage computational tools, a computer scientist curious about biological data, or simply someone interested in the intersection of biology and technology.

What You'll Learn:

• Basic Concepts: We’ll start with the fundamentals, exploring key concepts like DNA, RNA, and proteins, and how they relate to bioinformatics.
• Data Analysis Techniques: You’ll gain hands-on experience with tools and techniques used to analyze biological data, including sequence alignment, gene expression analysis, and data visualization.
• Bioinformatics Tools: We’ll introduce you to essential bioinformatics software and databases, such as BLAST, NCBI, and more, helping you understand how to access and interpret biological data.
• Practical Applications: Through real-world examples, you'll see how bioinformatics is applied in research, medicine, and biotechnology to solve complex biological problems.

Course Structure: The course is divided into short, focused modules, each designed to build upon the last. We’ll balance theory with practical exercises, ensuring you have the knowledge and skills to apply bioinformatics in your own work or studies.

By the end of this course, you'll have a clear understanding of the basics of bioinformatics and be equipped with the tools and confidence to explore this exciting field further.

Let’s get started on your bioinformatics journey!

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of biology and computer science is helpful.

Required Materials: A good internet connection with a decent configuration laptop or computer will be of great help.

Course Outline