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DTSTAMP:20260407T181318Z
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DTSTART:20260527T090000Z
DTEND:20260528T170000Z
DESCRIPTION:## Overview\nLarge Language Models (LLMs) are creating a shift 
 of paradigm in how we interact with data across domains. Bioinformatics is
  one of the fields most prominently impacted by the advent of LLMs\, start
 ing with biodata exploration\, via [LLM-based AI assistants](https://www.b
 iorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.01.31.578275v1)\, towards enabling full sc
 ientific discovery pipelines via [novel agentic frameworks](https://resear
 ch.google/blog/accelerating-scientific-breakthroughs-with-an-ai-co-scienti
 st/). But how are these models trained? How do we choose among the plethor
 a of options for a target use case? And how do we adapt an existing model 
 to our needs?\nThis two-day course will give a gentle introduction into LL
 Ms\, going from theoretical concepts towards practical\, hands-on experien
 ce interacting with LLMs for exploring biodata through a series of exercis
 es provided in [Google Colab Notebooks](https://colab.research.google.com)
 . These will include programmatically interacting with an LLM to construct
  agentic applications for answering biological questions using existing SI
 B resources.\n\n\n## Audience\nThis course is designed for PhD students\, 
 postdoctoral and other researchers in the life sciences from both academia
  and industry who are interested in LLMs and who already have prior experi
 ence using Python\, for example through Google Colab or Jupyter Notebooks.
 \n\n## Learning outcomes\nAt the end of the course\, the participants are 
 expected to:\n* Understand the basics of Large Language Models\n* Explore 
 the interplay of LLMs and bioinformatics knowledge bases \n* Develop tools
  and skills to enable AI agents to interact with bioinformatics knowledge 
 bases\n* Programmatically interact with LLMs in a Python Notebook \n* Buil
 d a simple agentic application for answering questions over biodata\n\n\n#
 # Prerequisites\n##### Knowledge / competencies\nThis course is designed f
 or beginners. Participants should meet the learning outcomes of the course
  [First Steps with Python in Life Sciences](https://www.sib.swiss/training
 /course/FSWPY) and have at least one year of additional experience using P
 ython.\n\n##### Technical\nYou are required to bring your own computer wit
 h an Internet connection. The practicals will be shared via Google Colab N
 otebook (no prior installation needed). \n\n\n## Application\n\nThe regist
 ration fees for academics are **200 CHF** and **1000 CHF** for for-profit 
 companies.\n\nWhile participants are registered on a first come\, first se
 rved basis\, exceptions may be made to ensure diversity and equity\, which
  may increase the time before your registration is confirmed.\n\nApplicati
 ons will close on **13/05/2026** or as soon as the places will be filled u
 p. Cancellation after **13/05/2026** will not be reimbursed.\n\nYou will b
 e informed by email of your registration confirmation. Upon reception of t
 he confirmation email\, participants will be asked to confirm attendance b
 y paying the fees within 5 days.\n\n\n## Venue and Time\nThis course will 
 take place at the University of Zurich\, on the Irchel campus.\n\nThe cour
 se will start at 9:00 CET and end around 17:00 CET.\n\nPrecise information
  will be provided to the registered participants in due time.\n\n\n## Addi
 tional information\nCoordination: Diana Marek\, SIB training group.\n\n\nW
 e will recommend 0.5 ECTS credits for this course (given a passed exam at 
 the end of the course).\n\n\nYou are welcome to register to the SIB course
 s mailing list to be informed of all future courses and workshops\, as wel
 l as all important deadlines using the form [here](https://lists.sib.swiss
 /mailman/listinfo/courses).\n\n\nPlease note that participation in SIB cou
 rses is subject to our [general conditions](http://www.sib.swiss/training/
 terms-and-conditions).\n\n\nSIB abides by the [ELIXIR Code of Conduct](htt
 ps://elixir-europe.org/events/code-of-conduct). Participants of SIB course
 s are also required to abide by the same code.\n\n\nFor more information\,
  please contact [training@sib.swiss](mailto://training@sib.swiss).
SUMMARY:Building Agentic AI Applications for Biodata Exploration
URL;VALUE=URI:https://www.sib.swiss/training/course/20260527_BAIBE
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