BTEP

Bioinformatics Training and Education Program (BTEP)

The Bioinformatics Training and Education Program (BTEP) under the Office of Science and Technology Resources (OSTR) aims to enhance the awareness and understanding of bioinformatics techniques and processes among CCR scientists. Our primary goal is to empower CCR scientists to independently perform basic, informed analyses.

BTEP Activities and Resources

  1. Talks and Trainings

    • BTEP provides instruction on various bioinformatics topics.
    • Hosts training sessions on both commercial and open-source bioinformatics tools.

  2. BTEP Website

    • An excellent resource for NIH-wide bioinformatics events and documentation from all our classes.
    • Information on bioinformatics software available to NCI researchers (See the BTEP Software pages).

NIH Bioinformatics Training Calendar

  • The NIH Bioinformatics Training Calendar provides descriptions and links to bioinformatics training events and related talks across the NIH campus, including non-BTEP sponsored events.

Announcements

  • "News" updates about online learning resource licenses and available NGS analysis software packages (e.g., Partek Flow, Qlucore, Qiagen).
  • "Bulletins" are monthly emails sent to all CCR employees featuring events, announcements, and topic spotlights.

Distinguished Speaker Seminar Series

  • Annual series featuring notable guest speakers from around the world involved in groundbreaking cancer -omics research or other relevant areas.
  • The Distinguished Speakers Seminar Series 2025 included:
    • Dr. Andrew Stergachis (University of Washington)
    • Dr. George Church (Harvard University)
    • Dr. Aviv Regev (Genentech)
    • Dr. Sandrine Dudoit (University of California, Berkeley)
    • Dr. Vince Carey (Harvard Medical School)
    • Dr. Jure Leskovec (Stanford University)
    • Dr. Katie Pollard (Gladstone Institutes)

BTEP Coding Club

  • Provides tailored bioinformatics training to the NCI community.
  • Features a 1-hour demo/tutorial each month on a bioinformatics tool, software, skill, or platform, ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
  • Topic suggestions are welcomed. Email us at ncibtep@nih.gov for specific topic requests.
  • See the BTEP Coding Club pages for more information.

Other Seminar Series

FAQ Forums

  • Maintains several Q&A forums for the NCI/CCR community on specific bioinformatics topics.
  • Current forums include:

Upcoming Classes

  • Offers training on diverse topics such as:
    • Cancer biology resources
    • Machine learning/AI
    • NIH computational resources
    • OSTR licensed software
    • Programming (Unix command line, R, Python)
    • Next-generation sequencing analysis methods (RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, Variant Calling, microbiome, etc.)
  • Upcoming classes can be found at https://bioinformatics.ccr.cancer.gov/btep/classes/.

BTEP Video Archive

  • Most events are recorded, with recordings available 24-48 hours after the event. See the archive here.
  • Many training events come with additional documentation, including code, data, and other relevant information.

For more information and resources, visit the BTEP website.