RAD Microbes Boot Camp 2026

Register for the RAD Microbes Boot Camp to learn from expert bioinformaticians at Rice University and the Texas Medical Center on Reading, Assembling, Analyzing & Deciphering microbial genomes.

Dates: May 4-6, 2026

Location: BRC at Rice University | 6500 Main St, Houston, TX 77030

Instructors & Overview: https://github.com/treangenlab/radmicrobes/blob/main/README.md

Summary: Computational analyses of microbial genomes through genomic sequencing hold tremendous promise yet can become riddled with various sources of potential bias. The microbial genome analysis workshop is designed for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and investigators from diverse backgrounds and interests for clarity on how to effectively utilize ubiquitous computational pipelines for answering specific research questions. This hands-on workshop will cover end-to-end microbial genome analysis, discussing the pros and cons of decisions made during the process (library preparation, sequencing, bioinformatic tool selection, parameter settings, and interpretation of results).

Topics: Short and long-read sequencing, amplicon and isolate genome sequence, genome assembly and validation, functional annotation, phylogenomic analysis, and strain typing. This workshop will be taught by scientists with expertise in bioinformatics and analysis of clinical samples, allowing participants to get individualized training on how to accurately sample, sequence, and characterize microbial genomes.

Participation: RAD Microbes Boot Camp will feature a poster session this year on Monday, May 4th during the evening reception. Submissions are open to students and postdocs. Submit your poster and abstract here.

Student rate: Use code RADMicrobesStudent for the student rate. (Please register with your university mailing address and be prepared to show you student I.D upon check-in.)

Monday Schedule

3:30-4:00pm | Check-in — BRC Lobby

4:00-5:00pm | Welcome Remarks + Keynote Speaker — BRC Auditorium

5:00-7:30pm | Poster Session + Reception — BRC Event Hall

Tuesday Schedule — BRC Room 280

8:00-8:30am | Breakfast/Check-in + Kickoff

9:00am-12:00pm | Morning Sessions

12:00-1:00pm | Lunch

1:00-5:30pm | Afternoon Sessions

Wednesday Schedule — BRC Room 280

8:30-9:00am | Breakfast/Check-in and Day 2 Kickoff

9:00am-12:00pm | Morning Sessions

12:00-1:00pm | Lunch

1:00-4:30pm | Afternoon Sessions

Acknowledgments: The Ken Kennedy Institute

Refund Policy: A full refund is available up to one week out from the workshop. Refunds will not be processed within 7 days from the event start date.

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Host or Publisher The Ken Kennedy Institute