Functional analysis: the biology behind the genes
Functional analysis: the biology behind the genes
24 November 2025, 9h30-17h00
General context
This course will guide you through the steps of how to get the answers about what genes can tell you! With the advances of technology, understanding the load of information and giving it some meaning is becoming more challenging. To help you navigate this adventure and uncover the insights your data is eager to reveal, wewill utilize online tools to annotate and analyze human and Plant datasets. By the end of the day, everything will become clear! We will shortly talk about how to start if you work with an organism that doesn't have a Reference genome.
We will utilize Gene Ontology and Gene enrichment, in addition to Pathways, to interpret our data and elucidate the significance of our gene set. This introduction to Functional Analysis will explain the biology behind the gene and bring to light what your data means.
Explain the basic concepts and terminology of functional analysis, such as gene ontology, gene enrichment, pathways, and networks.
Use online tools to annotate and analyze human and plant datasets.
Compare and contrast different organisms, including those without a reference genome, regarding their functional analysis.
Briefly evaluate the biological significance of the gene sets obtained from functional analysis.
Trainers
Bruna Piereck
Bruna Piereck is a bioinformatics trainer at VIB and ELIXIR-BE training coordinator deputy. She obtained a Master and PhD degree in Molecular Genetics, with a focus on Bioinformatics from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2019. During her PhD, she had the chance to collaborate with the university of Luxembourg and the McGill university in Quebec Canada for a short time. Ever since she has been involved with teaching and research and Since March 2022, she joined VIB with the mission of teaching and assist other trainers in a variety of topics.
Program
Experiment context and quality control
Organism without Reference Genome
Coffee break
Enrichment and Overrepresentation analysis (ORA)
Lunch
Gene ontology enrichment
Coffee break
Pathway (Networks) and gene functions
Gene-set enrichment
Practical info
24 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
24 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
24 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
24 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.