RNA-seq in R (from counts to genes)

(Melbourne Bioinformatics, The University of Melbourne)

Comparing gene expression, i.e. the amount of RNA transcript, in different experimental conditions provides important biological insights. While there's many ways of measuring gene expression, the focus of this workshop will be (bulk) RNA-seq, a technology which measures gene expression across the whole transcriptome, i.e. all RNA transcripts, in a sample.

Anyone who,

1. Has heard of RNA-seq and roughly knows what the idea is
2. Is interested in learning some basic skills for analysing RNA-seq data (starting from a table of counts)
3. Who knows the basics of R
4. Who knows basic statistics (e.g. what a hypothesis test is)

The aim is to show you how to go from a “counts table” of RNA-seq data to a list of differentially expressed (DE) genes, using R and statistical software packages from Bioconductor. Our approach will be to carefully discuss each step along the way. By the end you'll have (1) some understanding and thus confidence in what you’re doing, and (2) some skills to judge whether the DE results you obtain are likely to be trustworthy (or rubbish).

This free workshop is available to staff and students at The University of Melbourne and its affiliated institutes.

You must register for this event using an affiliated institutional email address or your registration may be cancelled.

This workshop does not require any previous experience. This is an in person hands-on workshop and attendees must bring their own computers (laptop chargers also recommended). No software needs to be installed for this workshop and no programming experience is necessary. The following is required:

• Access to internet via UniWireless or Eduroam
• Web browser (Firefox or Chrome recommended)
• Participants should register for a Galaxy Australia account using their institutional email address

If you require any further information, or have any access requirements in order to participate in this workshop, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your requirements:

We recommend following our Eventbrite page if you wish to be alerted when we release new workshops for registrations. If you require any further information, please contact Melbourne Bioinformatics at: [email protected]

Starting 1 August 2025, participants who miss two or more workshops without proper notice (less than 48 hours or attending under 50%) within 12 months will be placed on a 6-month waitlist for full workshops. To avoid being marked as a no-show, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, with exceptions allowed for emergencies.Please read the full policy here: https://mbite.org/guides/policy/