gandalab/2026-kenya-microbiome-workshop

Repo to contain all relevant information for the microbiome workshop at MUST on June 3, 2026 # 2026-kenya-microbiome-workshop Repo to contain all relevant information for the microbiome workshop at MUST on June 3, 2026 # **About** The Microbiome Kickstart Workshop is designed to address the challenges faced by researchers in animal health sciences, particularly with the increasing use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing in microbiome studies. As the field grows due to lower sequencing costs and improved bioinformatics tools, the intersection of molecular biology, microbiology, microbial ecology, and computer science with animal science and veterinary medicine can become daunting. This workshop aims to simplify these complexities, offering graduate students practical skills and confidence to engage in interdisciplinary microbiome research. By bridging the gap between traditional animal science studies and the technical demands of microbiome research, the workshop prepares participants for future challenges and innovations in animal health and disease. # **Content** 1. Basics of Microbiome Analysis - From Planning to Sequencing 2. Intro to microbial diversity metrics 3. Introduction to Bioinformatics 4. Introduction to Git and Github 5. Introduction to R programming 6. Amplicon Data Analysis in R 7. Introduction to Data Visualization 8. Statistical considerations for microbiome data analysis 9. Best practices in reporting microbiome studies 10. Critical analysis of microbiome research studies # **Required Reading** Weinroth MD, Belk AD, Dean C, et al. Considerations and best practices in animal science 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing microbiome studies. J Anim Sci. 2022;100(2):skab346. doi:10.1093/jas/skab346 Link Ginnan N, Bordenstein SR. It is time to authenticate the Microbiome Sciences with accredited educational programs and departments. PLoS Biol. 2023 Dec 7;21(12):e3002420. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002420. PMID: 38060452; PMCID: PMC10703218. Link Mirzayi C, Renson A; Genomic Standards Consortium; Reporting guidelines for human microbiome research: …