Date: May 9-11, 2016

Location: Amsterdam

Course Coordinator: Bas Teusink and Brett Olivier, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Website: http://biosb.nl/education/course-portfolio-2/course-constraint-based-modelling-course/

Registration: http://biosb.nl/education/course-portfolio-2/course-constraint-based-modelling-course/enrollment-constraint-based-modelling-course/

Constraint-based modelling is a powerful modelling methodology that is being used to model a diverse range of biological phenomena. These include both fundamental and applied questions relevant to biotechnology, microbiology and medicine. Central to constraint-based modelling is the use of a genome-scale reconstructions (GSR’s) that maps out the metabolism of a cell as a biochemical reaction network.

In this course you will be introduced to:

• techniques for the construction of a working GSR: tools, tricks and pitfalls
  
• the underlying mathematical definition and description of a constraint-based model
  
• methods for interrogating models and interpreting results, such as Flux Balance Analysis and Flux Variability Analysis
  
• software and standards
  

The preliminary course structure will be to divide each day into both lectures and practical sessions so that learned theory can immediately be applied in silico.

Constraint-based modelling is a rapidly growing field that is being use in both fundamental and applied research and biotechnology. It sits at the intersection between quantitative metabolic modelling, bioinformatics and cellular physiology and, as such, is an example of systems biology at work. While participants would benefit from some knowledge of either quantitative modelling, bioinformatics or microbial physiology this is not required. This includes, for example, scientists working in a laboratory and wanting to learn more about building or using genome-scale models, as well as, those who have used basic FBA, but want to know how else it can be applied to their research.

The course is part of the Education Programme of BioSB, the Netherlands Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Research School, which offers training and education for in bioinformatics and systems biology. More information about BioSB can be found at www.biosb.nl.

Kind regards,