EMBL-EBI course: Methods for infectious disease modelling using genomics
The EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL- EBI) offers the course: Methods for infectious disease modelling using genomics. This EMBO Practical course will introduce concepts, methods, and tools for carrying out infectious disease modelling, as well as for developing models further by leveraging the power of genomics.
Dates: 14-19 September, 2025
Location: European Bioinformatics Institute, UK
In this course, participants will learn about compartmental models, such as Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) models, how to adapt them to a pathogen of their interest, and the differences between stochastic and deterministic models. Taking this further, participants will apply these models to epidemic settings in order to predict changes in case numbers and disease severity.
Additionally, the participants will learn how to implement and adapt genomics-informed models for pathogen evolution, and they will learn how to make use of genomics to create timed phylogenies and reconstruct ancestral states.
Finally, bringing together transmission modelling and genomic data, participants will learn about phylodynamic models and how this can help to detect changes in case numbers and pathogenicity earlier and more reliably than with transmission models alone.
This course is aimed at early-stage researchers and others who are working in the fields of infectious diseases or pathogen evolution and will use mathematical modelling, and for professionals who carry out this type of research in policy making, charities or public health settings.
Registration fees:
- Academia: £450.
- Industry: £950.
The registration fee includes:
- Catering as detailed on the course programme.
- Accommodation for five nights (14, 15, 16, 17, 18 September 2025).
- Bespoke course handbook with links to the course materials.
- Use of a computer in the EMBL-EBI training suite throughout the course. Secure virtual machines for practical sessions listed in the programme.
- Shuttle bus on the final course day to Cambridge train station.
Registration fee waiver and travel grant
The travel grant and fee waiver can be used to cover the cost of travel (airfare, train, bus, taxi, accommodation, visa) and/or course registration fees and is provided up to specified caps which are normally as follows:
- up to €500 for any participant travelling to Hinxton to attend the course.
- up to €1000 for any participant working in Chile, India, Singapore or Taiwan travelling to Hinxton to attend the course.
Application deadline, 25th of May 2025.
