Computational Biology Research Camp for High School Students

TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) Data analysis

NOTE: Based on student requests, we decided to offer a two-week camp (non-residential) to generate significant research results. The one-week option is available for either week, but there is a pre-requisite for the second week-only option.

Thank you for your interest in the program. We are currently full for the first-week only option and the two-week option. Additional application for these options will go on the wait list.

DATE: June 15 – 26, 2015 (Mon – Fri)       TIME: 9 am – 4:30 pm

LOCATION: Undergraduate Science Building, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Current (2014-15) high school students (young women and men) interested in computer, math, biology, and medicine.  (August 3-7 camp is offered for current 8th graders and above, and R programming camp in August 10-14 is for current 7th graders and above).

FEE*: $825 for both weeks (with premium membership**: $705.00); $425 for one week (with premium membership**: $345.00)

*Fee will not be charged until we inform you of your acceptance. More information in the registration form including contact info.

**You may want to consider premium membership.

Bring a laptop and lunch (morning and afternoon snacks will be provided).

Sponsor: Women In Science and Engineering (WISE)

Goals

1. To expose high school students to career opportunities in biomedicine through hands-on experience in computational genomics and prepare them for the emerging era of medical genomics, when all doctors must be well-acquainted with genetic discoveries, technologies, and applications.
2. Give research opportunities to high school students beyond the school setting.
3. Identify potential GIDAS (Genes In Diseases And Symptoms) club leaders at their schools

Specific Aims

Week 1

1. Differentiate gene entities (DNA, RNA, and proteins).
2. Understand the mechanisms of gene expression (transcription and translation).
3. Understand genetic biomarkers in a disease context and the effects of environmental factors such as exercise, food consumption, substance abuse, and medication.
4. Learn about personalized medicine (precision medicine – President Obama’s new initiative).
5. Be familiar with career paths related to computational biology.
6. Become familiar with the National Center for Biotechnology Information database and software package.

Week 2

1. Understand the mechanisms of gene regulation (transcription factors, methylation, and microRNA).
2. Become familiar with gene network software packages.
3. Understand the TCGA database and various types of cancers.
4. Integrate multiple level data (DNA, RNA, and protein) to find specific cancer biomarkers.
5. Develop collaborative teamwork.
6. Generate own hypothesis based on two weeks’ research.

Overall daily activities (subject to change)

Tentative Career focus

computational and experimental biologist (academic career)

physician (medical)

law (ethics, patents, policy, etc)

pharmaceutics/biotechnology (careers in industry)

Fridays

Parents are invited to students’ presentations (both weeks)

Each group will suggest a way of preventing the disease based on the week’s research

Recognition of the best disease solution

Refund Policy

The $50 administrative fee for each week ($100 for two weeks) will not be refunded once the camp application is accepted.

If a student withdraws, the camp fee paid minus the administrative fee will be refunded if we are notified by April 15, 2015.

If a student withdraws between April 16 and May 31, 2015, we will refund 50 percent of the camp fee paid.

No refund will be given after May 31, 2015.