This is a DSCRP course and places are highly limited. If you are unable to attend, please de-register (or email graduateresearchschool@uq.edu.au if you are unable to do so). An unexplained absence could result in all your future DSCRP registrations becoming Waitlisted.

This hands-on session offers a beginner-friendly introduction to metagenomic analysis using the MOTHUR tool within the Galaxy platform. Participants will learn the fundamentals of metagenomics, including how it is used to study microbial community composition, diversity, and functional potential from sequencing data. The workshop will guide attendees through key analysis steps such as quality control of raw reads, OTU clustering, taxonomic classification, and diversity analysis—all within Galaxy’s user-friendly, web-based interface. Designed for those with no prior bioinformatics or coding experience, this session provides both foundational concepts and practical skills to help researchers confidently analyse metagenomic data in their own work. 

Who should attend

This workshop is designed for students and researchers in the life sciences who are already familiar with the Galaxy platform and want to expand their skills in metagenomic data analysis. It is ideal for those working in microbiology, microbial ecology, environmental genomics, or related fields who wish to enhance their bioinformatics expertise through hands-on practice with metagenomic workflows. Prior experience with Galaxy is recommended, allowing the session to focus on advanced metagenomic techniques, including quality control, OTU/ASV clustering, taxonomic profiling, functional annotation, and diversity analysis using sequencing datasets.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

  • Gain an understanding of metagenomic analysis using Galaxy Australia
  • Become familiar with the metagenomic tools on Galaxy platform 

Workshop Topics 

  • Quality Control of metagenomic data
  • Filter and classify metagenomic data
  • Diversity analysis
  • Visualization 

By registering, you are consenting to the release of your name and email address to DSCRP for attendance purposes. Full attendance is expected.

About Bioinformatics and genomics

Useful links

RCC supports Hacky Hour UQ, which is currently being held online. Hacky Hour is a weekly meetup, held Tuesdays, 1pm–2pm (AEST), for UQ researchers to ask research-related technical issues to do with: 

  • High-performance computing 
  • cloud computing 
  • virtual machines 
  • data storage 
  • data security 
  • data cleanup 
  • automated workflows 
  • data pipelines 
  • virtual desktops 
  • Python 
  • Linux 
  • Software and Data Carpentry 
  • Bioinformatics. 

When: Hacky Hour UQ occurs each Tuesday, 1pm–2pm (AEST). Occasionally, it is cancelled if no RCC and Data Science CRP experts are available that day.  

Where: Hacky Hour will be held via Zoom video conference. For Zoom meeting details please email rcc-support@uq.edu.au.  

Any questions? Email rcc-support@uq.edu.au.