In collaboration with the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) the National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics (NDPIA) will offer a number of bioinformatics modules 10-12 and 17-19 of November 2015. The modules will be taught at Umeå University by EBI staff and members of NDPIA are offered to participate for free. Non-NDPIA applicants can be considered if the modules are not fully subscribed (also without charge).

Half-day training modules (10-12 November):

1. Introduction to databases at EMBL-EBI
2. Protein sequence databases
3. Protein function and classification
4. Introduction to sequence searching at EMBL-EBI
5. Standards and ontologies
6. Interactions & pathways

Full-day training modules (17-19 November):

1. Protein structures and tools from the PDBe
2. Ensembl Genomes
3. ArrayExpress / Expression Atlas

Link to schedule and information about the modules via EMBL-EBI.

Deadline for registration: 26 October 2015

Link to additional information and registration:

https://ndpia.se/events/embl-ebi-bioinformatics-modules-at-umea-university/

The National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics (NDPIA), connected activities and networking opportunities were recently highlighted in the web magazine Curie, published by the Swedish Research Council (VR).

Link to article

During the spring of 2015 a survey aiming at facilitating planning of future activities of the National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics (NDPIA) in line with participant’s suggestions was distributed. 25 NDPIA participants (of current 150) undertook the survey and the results are briefly described below.

Personal communication and information via e-mail were the most common ways of learning about NDPIA. Participants joined the programme to attend courses and for networking opportunities. Both thematic and non-thematic future network meetings were considered. A majority of respondents were in favor of discussions in smaller groups, however, to some extent also poster sessions (divided) and short PowerPoint presentations were considered. Both overview and in-depth lectures was requested and there was an interest in speakers discussing synergies between basic and clinical research. A variety of topics/themes for lectures were suggested. A majority of participants reported that it was likely or very likely they should network with other NDPIA participants via social media: LinkedIn > ResearchGate > Facebook > Other (such as www.academia.edu, www.ndpia.se, YouTube channel/video lectures). All planned course/workshop topics were of interest for the respondents, bioinformatics being most popular. Additional topics were suggested.
All but one of the respondents found www.ndpia.se useful or very useful. A vast majority of participants access the page once a month and/or when they are notified via e-mail.

The opinions on the overall views of the network meeting in Uppsala varied a lot and so did the opinions on the specific networking opportunities and the lectures. The networking opportunities together with the smaller format of the meeting were appreciated although increased time for poster sessions was suggested.

Many thanks to all NDPIA participants who filled out the survey!

This year’s meeting of the Nordic Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (NSCMID) will bring together researchers, practitioners, experts and companies involved in the broad filed of infectious diseases including diagnostics, prevention and antimicrobial treatment. The meeting will be held in Umeå 3-6 September, 2015, with two parallel workshops 3 September: "Meet the Experts workshop" and "Workshop on modern tools in infectious disease epidemiology".

Link to conference web site, program, registration etc.: www.nscmid2015.com.

Registered participants of the National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics (NDPIA) are offered free registration and accommodation and the possibility to apply for co-funding of travel costs via https://ndpia.se/events/32nd-annual-meeting-of-nscmid-infections-and-antibiotics/
(at the bottom of the page).

All NDPIA members participating in the meeting are expected to attend one of the workshops 3 September and to submit a poster abstract.

The first registration dead-line is June 1, 2015 – after this date the registration fee is increased with 1000 SEK, not to be covered by NDPIA.

The abstract submission dead-line is June 22, 2015.

 Click on the collage for a lagrer picture.

The first network meeting of the National Doctoral Programme in Infections and Antibiotics (NDPIA) was held in Uppsala 20-21 April on the theme “Antibiotic Resistance – with a One Health perspective”. The meeting featured an introduction to NDPIA, thematic lectures by invited speakers, short presentations by all 36 NDPIA programme participants, a poster session and additional networking opportunities. The final session was dedicated to input from NDPIA participants regarding suggestions for future activities to be organized by/with support from NDPIA and with respect to further networking among NDPIA participants. Based on fruitful discussions at the final session a survey focusing on future NDPIA activities will be distributed to all NDPIA participants.

Three poster awards of 4 000 SEK each, to be used for participation in a national/international conference or for a research visit, were presented to the PhD students Kemal Avican (Dept. of Molecular Biology at Umeå University) and Olivia Borg (Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology at Uppsala University) and to Dr. Bhupender Singh (Dept. of Physics at Umeå University) – congratulations!

The thematic lectures were appreciated and it was encouraging to observe many new contacts being made at this first network meeting of NDPIA. All NDPIA members are encouraged to participate in future network meetings and other announced activities relevant for their research.

Programme with links to presentations