EpiDiverse training aims

Interdisciplinary scientific training

The research program of EpiDiverse was characterized by integration of bioinformatics, molecular genetics and ecology expertise. A key aim of the academic training provided to EpiDiverse students was to develop the interdisciplinary skills for combining these fields. The ability to link genetic/epigenetic information with experimental proficiency, bioinformatics skills, and creativity in distilling knowledge from big data. This training prepared for academic careers in modern biology where technological ‘omics’ advancements are revolutionizing genetic, ecological, and medical research agendas.

Experience in non-academic work environments

The EpiDiverse consortium includes academic and non/academic participants. The non-academic participants carried out an integral part of the research program and host several of the EpiDiverse research projects. Furthermore, they provided training opportunities (secondments) for those students that were hosted at academic research groups in the network. Non-academic participants were:

  • Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Deutschland GmbH.  At Roche the students can experience the industrial work environment. Here the bioinformatics students will be trained in new technology for DNA methylation screening.
  • EcSeq contributes with knowledge of pipeline maintenance, hands-on bioinformatics training. This company supported the students with their data analysis.
  • IGA-TS, IGA Technology Services SRL, contributed with expertise of (Epi)genomic sequencing data and facilities for library preparation and Illumina sequencing.
  • All three mentioned companies, ECSEQ, IGA-TS and ROCHE, represent large and growing life sciences and -omics data industries.
  • WiD (Wissenschaft im Dialog), Berlin, Germany trained the students in public outreach of information and science communication. 

Transferable skills

EpiDiverse organized platforms for scientific presentations and interaction, training in research ethics, data management, scientific writing and project design to ensure that all ESRs received training in these essential research skills. Because the research topic of EpiDiverse is of fundamental scientific interest, it was important for the ESRs to develop skills in science communication in order to explain the research and its relevance to a general audience. ESR received training in science communication and helped develop an online portal for learning on epigenetics, which was integrated with the outreach goals of the network