Become a bioinformatics detective and solve a real biological mystery using DNA and protein analysis tools. A hands-on, interactive workshop that requires no programming.
- Date: Aug. 3 through Aug. 14, 2026 Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location: Lab 221—School of Engineering—Cuareim 1451
In this 16-hour hands-on workshop, you’ll take on the role of researchers to solve a real biological mystery using the same computational tools that computational biologists use—all in an interactive, visual way, with no programming knowledge required.
Throughout the project, your computer will become a digital lab.
We will begin by searching global databases to download DNA and protein sequences, align them to identify key differences, and construct phylogenetic trees.
Next, the laws of natural selection will be deciphered at the molecular level to identify exactly which positions are changing and adapting to new environments.
The grand finale of the journey will take you into three-dimensional space: we'll make the leap from flat text sequences to 3D atomic modeling.
Using a molecular visualizer, they will learn to visually manipulate the three-dimensional structure of a protein, measure contact distances at the atomic level, and simulate how a single mutation completely alters the molecule's shape and interactions.
Exhibits
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Ignacio, M.A. Ferrés
Associate Academic Coordinator of Bioinformatics.
He completed his master’s degree and defended his doctoral dissertation at the Institut Pasteur in Montevideo, where he conducted research on the genomics of bacteria of public health interest and developed bioinformatics analysis tools.He participated in SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic and worked as a bioinformatician at Kinzbio.
He is currently a professor and researcher at Universidad ORT Uruguay, where he works on the application of large language models to protein sequences and on the genomics of bacteria and fungi.
Event Registration
- Free admission
- Advance registration is required
- Limited availability
- Registration Form