Armenian Bioinformatics Institute

📢 New Publication Alert

We are happy to share a new publication from our Binder Lab:

Konecny T, Binder H, Hampel U, Hansmann F, Pfannkuche H, Schneider MR. Spotting a unicorn: spatial transcriptome analysis of the eyelid reveals gene regulatory networks enriched in Moll glands. Briefings in Bioinformatics, 2026.

🧬 In this study, the authors use spatial transcriptomics and machine learning to conduct the first in-depth analysis of the human Moll gland transcriptional landscape. These small glands, located at the eyelid margin, have remained largely understudied until now. The work identifies key gene regulatory networks and novel markers that define their specialized metabolic and secretory functions.

🔗 Read the full open-access article:
https://doi.org/10.1093/bib/bbag135

🎤 The study was also presented as both a talk and a poster at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Forschung (ADF).

🔁 Still thinking about joining? Don’t miss your chance!

Our Introduction to Statistics bridge course is starting soon — a great opportunity to build a strong foundation in data analysis and prepare for OMICSS-26.

📅 April 16 – May 7
📍 ABI, Yerevan
❗ Deadline: April 12

Apply now 👇
https://www.abi.am/.../omicss-26-introduction-to-statistics

🌟 Master the fundamentals of statistics! 🌟

Our Introduction to Statistics bridge course is the perfect starting point for those new to the field. Taught by Alisa Davtyan, this beginner-friendly course will provide you with the essential statistical knowledge needed to succeed in data analysis.

Course Details:
📅 Dates: April 16 - May 7
🕖 Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:00 - 20:30
📍 Location: ABI, Yerevan, Armenia
❗ Application Deadline: April 12

Topics Covered:
• Descriptive Statistics: Summarize and interpret data 🧮
• Probability Theory: Key concepts and applications 🎲
• Inferential Statistics: Confidence intervals, hypothesis testing & p-values 📉
• Data Analysis with Python: Use Python libraries like Statsmodels, Pandas & Seaborn

💡 This course is ideal for beginners and those looking to build statistical skills for data analysis.

🔗 Learn more and apply now - basic Python knowledge is desirable: https://www.abi.am/training/omicss-26-introduction-to-statistics

🌟 OMICSS-26 Early Bird Applications Are Ongoing! 🌟
🚀 Don’t miss your chance to join the 5th edition of our Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

🧬 Hands-on training in bioinformatics, data science, and life sciences, including NGS and real-world projects.

🗝️ Optional bridge courses available for beginners.

📍 ABI, Yerevan, Armenia
📅 July 20 – August 14, 2026
❗ Early Bird Deadline: May 10

🔗 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/dcGXbEzS

🌟 OMICSS-26 Summer School Early Bird Registration is Now Open! 🌟

🚀 Applications are now open for OMICSS-26, the fifth edition of our beginner-friendly Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

🧬 Designed especially for those stepping into bioinformatics, OMICSS-26 offers hands-on training at the intersection of bioinformatics, data science, and life sciences. Participants will explore modern molecular technologies, bioinformatics algorithms, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and work on a real-world bioinformatics project.

🗝️ New to the field? Optional bridge courses in molecular biology, programming, and statistics are offered separately to help beginners build essential background knowledge before the summer school.

📌 Key Information Not to Miss

📍 Location: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI), Yerevan, Armenia
📅 Program Dates: July 20 – August 14, 2026
❗ Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 10
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dcGXbEzS

The 2026 edition is organized in partnership with ARCS.ai and the Institute of Molecular Biology, reinforcing the program’s strong academic and technological foundation and fostering closer collaboration between research, education, and innovation. 🤝

🌟 Master the fundamentals of statistics! 🌟

Our Introduction to Statistics bridge course is the perfect starting point for those new to the field. Taught by Alisa Davtyan, this beginner-friendly course will provide you with the essential statistical knowledge needed to succeed in data analysis.

Course Details:
📅 Dates: April 16 - May 7
🕖 Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:00 - 20:30
📍 Location: ABI, Yerevan, Armenia
❗ Application Deadline: April 12

Topics Covered:
• Descriptive Statistics: Summarize and interpret data 🧮
• Probability Theory: Key concepts and applications 🎲
• Inferential Statistics: Confidence intervals, hypothesis testing & p-values 📉
• Data Analysis with Python: Use Python libraries like Statsmodels, Pandas & Seaborn

💡 This course is ideal for beginners and those looking to build statistical skills for data analysis.

🔗 Learn more and apply now - basic Python knowledge is desirable: https://www.abi.am/training/omicss-26-introduction-to-statistics

📄🍇 New Publication Highlight

ABI’s Binder Lab has published a new study on Armenian grapevine diversity titled “Population structure of wild and cultivated grapevines in Armenia”.

The study presents the first comprehensive genomic analysis of 164 Armenian grapevine accessions, both cultivated varieties and their wild ancestors. Using whole-genome sequencing, the team identified three genetic subgroups of cultivated grapevines following a west-to-east gradient, as well as four subgroups of wild grapevines from Syunik.

The results also highlight genomic regions associated with domestication and identify candidate variants linked to traits such as berry skin color and bunch density.

👩‍🔬 Authors: Maria Nikoghosyan, Emma Hovhannisyan, Nate Zadirako, Shengchang Duan, Armine Asatryan, Arsen Arakelyan, Kristine Margaryan, Anush Baloyan, Tomas Konecny, Hans Binder

This work highlights Armenia as an important reservoir of grapevine diversity and provides a basis for conservation and breeding.

🔗Read more: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-026-08287-2

🔬 Wrapping Up Our Introduction to Molecular Biology Course! 🧬
Our Introduction to Molecular Biology bridge course has officially come to an end!

Over the past weeks, participants built a strong foundation in molecular biology, and we wrapped up the final class with a fun and interactive session:

🧠 A final quiz to test their knowledge

🔬 A lab visit, where participants explored real research environments and saw an Illumina sequencer up close

🍬 A creative activity synthesizing “proteins” from candy

🍪 And a sweet surprise — chromosome-shaped cookies, kindly prepared by our lecturer

👏 A huge thank you to all our participants for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication throughout the course!

🌟 Special thanks to Dr. Roxana Zakharyan for leading the course with such energy and care, and for making science both engaging and memorable, and to Teaching Assistant Mher Kurghinyan for his support and help throughout the course.

📸 Swipe through to see highlights from the classes!

We’re excited to see many of you continue your journey with OMICSS-26 🚀

🌟 Reminder: OMICSS-26 Early Bird Registration is Open! 🌟

🚀 Applications are now open for OMICSS-26, the fifth edition of our beginner-friendly Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

🧬 OMICSS-26 offers hands-on training in bioinformatics, data science, and life sciences, covering modern molecular technologies, bioinformatics algorithms, NGS, and a real-world bioinformatics project.

🗝️ New to the field? Optional bridge courses in molecular biology, programming, and statistics are available separately to help beginners prepare.

📍 ABI, Yerevan, Armenia
📅 July 20 – August 14, 2026
❗ Early Bird Deadline: May 10
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dcGXbEzS

🤝 Organized in partnership with ARCS.ai and the Institute of Molecular Biology.

🌟 OMICSS-26 Summer School Early Bird Registration is Now Open! 🌟

🚀 Applications are now open for OMICSS-26, the fifth edition of our beginner-friendly Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

🧬 Designed especially for those stepping into bioinformatics, OMICSS-26 offers hands-on training at the intersection of bioinformatics, data science, and life sciences. Participants will explore modern molecular technologies, bioinformatics algorithms, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and work on a real-world bioinformatics project.

🗝️ New to the field? Optional bridge courses in molecular biology, programming, and statistics are offered separately to help beginners build essential background knowledge before the summer school.

📌 Key Information Not to Miss

📍 Location: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI), Yerevan, Armenia
📅 Program Dates: July 20 – August 14, 2026
❗ Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 10
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dcGXbEzS

The 2026 edition is organized in partnership with ARCS.ai and the Institute of Molecular Biology, reinforcing the program’s strong academic and technological foundation and fostering closer collaboration between research, education, and innovation. 🤝

🎉 Proud Moment for ABI!

We are excited to share that a team from the Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI), headed by Lilit Nersisyan, has been awarded the $10,000 Annual Prize at the Adrin Gharakhani Invention Competition for Young Scientists, organized by the ARPA Institute, for the project “Telomeric Signatures in Cell-Free DNA as a Liquid Biopsy Biomarker for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)”.

This year’s competition brought together 12 teams, with projects evaluated by a committee of nine experts. We are honored that our team’s work was recognized among such strong and inspiring submissions.

👏 We sincerely thank the ARPA Institute for organizing this important initiative that supports young scientists and fosters innovation in Armenia.

Congratulations to our team and to all participants contributing to the growth of science and innovation in Armenia! 🚀

⏰ Reminder: Application Deadline Approaching!

There are only a few days left to apply for our Introduction to Programming: Python for Genomic Data Science bridge course led by Alisa Davtyan.

This beginner-friendly course is designed to help participants build fundamental programming skills and prepare for the OMICSS-26 Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

📅 Course dates: Mar 19 – Apr 9
📍 Location: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute, Yerevan
🗓 Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays
🕖 Time: 19:00–20:30

❗ Application deadline: March 15

💻 Build Your Foundation in Programming! 🚀

Our Introduction to Programming: Python for Genomic Data Science bridge course, led by Alisa Davtyan, is designed to help beginners develop essential coding skills and prepare for the OMICSS-26 Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

📅 Mar 19 - Apr 9
📍 ABI, Yerevan
🗓 Twice a week — Tuesday & Thursday
🕖 19:00–20:30

⏳ Apply now — the course has limited spots available. Priority will be given to applicants planning to apply for the summer school.

Whether you are completely new to programming or looking to strengthen your fundamentals, this course will introduce you to core concepts, logical thinking, and practical problem-solving skills essential for bioinformatics and data analysis.

Take your first step toward computational biology and expand your skill set in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment.

🔗 Learn more & apply: https://www.abi.am/training/omicss-26-introduction-to-programming-python-for-genomic-data-science

🌟 OMICSS-26 Summer School Early Bird Registration is Now Open! 🌟

🚀 Applications are now open for OMICSS-26, the fifth edition of our beginner-friendly Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.

🧬 Designed especially for those stepping into bioinformatics, OMICSS-26 offers hands-on training at the intersection of bioinformatics, data science, and life sciences. Participants will explore modern molecular technologies, bioinformatics algorithms, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and work on a real-world bioinformatics project.

🗝️ New to the field? Optional bridge courses in molecular biology, programming, and statistics are offered separately to help beginners build essential background knowledge before the summer school.

📌 Key Information Not to Miss

📍 Location: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI), Yerevan, Armenia
📅 Program Dates: July 20 – August 14, 2026
❗ Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 10
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dcGXbEzS

The 2026 edition is organized in partnership with ARCS.ai and the Institute of Molecular Biology, reinforcing the program’s strong academic and technological foundation and fostering closer collaboration between research, education, and innovation. 🤝

We’re excited to share that Maria Nikoghosyan has become a Junior Group Leader. 🚀

Maria will lead the Functional Population Genomics group at the Institute of Molecular Biology.

The group’s work focuses on understanding functional genetic variation, how genetic differences shape traits, adaptation, and evolution, across plants and humans.

A major part of the group’s research is dedicated to the grapevine genome, with a special focus on Caucasian and Armenian accessions. This region represents one of the oldest centers of grapevine domestication, yet it remains understudied. The group explores domestication history, population structure, and the genetic basis of key phenotypic traits, connecting genomic variation to real biological function.

Congratulations to Maria, and best wishes for this new chapter! 🧬✨

🍇 New Paper from Binder Lab!

We’re happy to share that our latest study, “A topological map of the genetic components of grapevine—Admixture meets SOMmelier machine learning”, is now published in PLOS Computational Biology.

In this study, we explore how natural evolution and human-driven processes like domestication and breeding shape genomic variation. By combining classical admixture analysis with Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs), we create an intuitive topological “genetic landscape” of the cultivated grapevine.

Our approach not only recovers known population structure, but also mirrors geography across Europe and West Asia and preserves signals of grapevine cultivation history stretching back ~11,000 years.

This work shows how machine learning can support and extend standard population genetics methods — offering new ways to visualize and interpret complex genomic data.

Read more here: https://www.abi.am/news/new-publication-from-binder-lab-in-plos-computational-biology