COURSES

Content

This course introduces the key concepts and approaches required to translate genomic discoveries into clinically meaningful knowledge. It integrates perspectives from genomics, functional biology, and clinical research, with particular attention to applications in global and specifically African health contexts.

By attending and participating in compulsory lecture and paper discussions, students will develop the skills needed to critically evaluate genomic data and its biomedical relevance. The course is taught in English.

The course covers:

• Genomic data analysis: principles of sequencing technologies, variant identification, and the use of bioinformatics tools to analyse and interpret genomic datasets.
• Functional genomics: experimental and computational approaches used to understand how genetic variation influences gene expression, molecular pathways, and biological function.
• Structural biology: how protein structure and molecular interactions help explain the functional impact of genetic variants.
• Clinical interpretation of genomic variants: frameworks and guidelines used to evaluate the clinical significance of genetic variation.
• Case studies in genomics for health: applications in infectious diseases and rare genetic disorders, with discussion of challenges and opportunities in African research and healthcare settings.
• Critical analysis of scientific literature: through paper presentation by students, evaluating experimental design, data interpretation, and the translational relevance of genomics research.

By the end of the course, students will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of how genomic data, functional evidence, and structural insights are integrated to support biomedical research and clinical decision-making.

Learning outcomes

• Interdisciplinary learning: You will engage with concepts spanning genomics, bioinformatics, structural biology, and clinical research, gaining a broad perspective on how these fields work together in modern biomedical science.
• Critical thinking and discussion: Through interactive sessions and literature discussions, you will develop the ability to evaluate scientific evidence, analyse research findings, and discuss current challenges in genomics for health.
• International collaboration and networking: You will learn alongside students and experts from European and African institutions, creating opportunities to exchange perspectives and build international academic connections.
• Research opportunities: Outstanding participants may be offered short research stays in partner laboratories, offering hands-on experience and the chance to deepen collaborations within the network.

Programme

• Online lecture sessions take place on Wednesday and are led by fifteen expert instructors (see below). Each instructor will give a framing lecture introducing key concepts, methods, and perspectives in genomics, bioinformatics, structural biology, and clinical genomics, with examples from rare diseases, infectious diseases, and familial cancers.
• On Mondays, when applicable, the same instructor will host a student-led paper discussion, where selected students will be asked to present to the classroom and critically analyse a scientific paper related to the Monday lecture topic. This format encourages interactive learning and deeper engagement with the material. Guidelines on how to conduct a paper presentation will be provided.
• At the end of the semester, structured in-person opportunities for mobility will be offered to participating students. These optional on-site research stays will take place in 2027, depending on the schedule agreed between the student and the host lab. More specifically,
  • Outstanding European students may apply for three research stays available in the laboratories of the participating instructors: the Faso Lab in Bern, Switzerland, the Groves lab in Groningen, the Netherlands, or the Svärd lab in Uppsala, Sweden. These stays range from 10-day visit to one month, depending on the destination. The length of their stay will depend on the destination). These visiting students will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements while accommodation and catering costs will be covered by the Enlight lump sum.
  • Outstanding students from African partner institutions may also be considered for short research fellowships in the European or African instructors’ laboratories. They will be funded by third-party funding providing opportunities for hands-on research experience and further academic exchange within the network.
• Attendance to both lectures and paper discussion classes is mandatory.
• Absences must be communicated to the course manager by email in advance and justified. Failure to prepare an assigned paper presentation will result in the minimum grade (1/6) for that class.
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Teaching method(s)

The course adopts an innovative pedagogical approach that combines expert lectures with student-led critical analysis of selected scientific literature and interactive online strategies such as Q&A sessions, short problem-based exercises, and real-time polling. There will be weekly paper presentations by nominated students. Each paper will be provided by the instructor as well as guidelines on how to conduct a paper presentation.

Assessment method(s)

Credits: 6 ECTS (workload between 150 - 180 hours including class attendance and preparation for the paper presentation).

Assessment system: Student performance in this course will be evaluated through oral presentations of selected scientific papers. Each presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Scientific understanding: Demonstration of comprehension of the data presented and the underlying concepts, as well as an assessment of the level of depth of the analysis conducted.
• Presentation clarity: Quality, organization, and visual clarity of slides, and effectiveness of oral delivery.
• Preparation and effort: Thoroughness in reviewing and digesting the paper and associated data.
• Critical engagement: Ability to answer questions, discuss results, and critically evaluate the experimental design and data.

At the end of each lecture, the instructor will provide the paper that will be discussed and announce the names of the students who will present it in the paper discussion class.

Grading system: Each criterion is scored on a maximum of 5 points, for a total of 20 points per presentation. These points are then converted to the University of Bern’s official grade system, with 6 representing the highest grade. The final course grade is calculated as the average of the oral presentations completed by each student over the semester (approximately three).

Paperwork: All incoming students will be issued with a Certificate of Attendance by the organizer. The Transcript of Records will be issued by the University of Bern within three weeks after the completion of the online programme.

Lecturers

• Dr Carmen Faso, Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID), University of Bern (Switzerland)  
• Dr Matthew R. Groves, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology (CPB) department, University of Groningen (The Netherlands)
• Dr Staffan Svärd, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University (Sweden) 
• Experts from the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence network: https://genomicsforhealthinafrica.org

Course dates

Online: from Monday September 14, 2026 to Wednesday December 16, 2026.

Entry requirements. Priority will be given to students in the fields of biochemistry, infectious diseases, pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, population genomics, global health and related. Applicants should hold a minimum B2-level of English.

Students from institutions within the ENLIGHT network are eligible to participate, with available in principle 10 seats. Students from other European universities outside the ENLIGHT network and from African universities, may also apply, with 5 seats available, at least. Before applying, students should obtain the confirmation from their supervisor or study programme coordinator that they are permitted to attend the course. It is the student’s responsibility to check with their own institution whether the credits will be recognized. Students from Ghent University must obtain faculty approval by completing this form and having it signed by the Faculty Student Administration.

Student selection. This will be based on the quality of the application, as well as the interest and motivation demonstrated by the applicant during a short interview following the shortlisting. Priority will be given to PhD students and then advanced master students (in year 2). Waiting list arrangements will also be made. Following application, selected students will be informed as soon as possible, while unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a seat. The program is committed to advancing equity and diversity and seeks to create an inclusive environment that welcomes participants from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Places will be allocated registration within a defined time frame. To apply please follow this link. Registration opens from April 1st, 2026 and closes on May 31^st, 2026.

Contact your ENLIGHT coordinator for further information on the application process or consult the linked information:

• University of the Basque Country: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Bern: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at the University of Bern
• University of Bordeaux: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Comenius University Bratislava: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Galway: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Ghent University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIP's and virtual courses
• University of Groningen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• University of Göttingen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (for BIP’s) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (other courses)
• University of Tartu: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIP’s and virtual courses
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at Uppsala University

• Responsible for the course: Prof. Dr Carmen Faso (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
• Course management: Dr Phaedra Simitsek (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)