2024 Virtual Computational Biology Research Camps
This camp is for students interested in math, science, medicine, and computation. The camp will focus on the role of genome and transcriptome in diseases and symptoms and guide students in performing computational biology research using patient RNA expression data to identify RNA biomarkers related to certain diseases. If you have not taken first-year high school biology, we expect you to study the basic transcription and translation process using materials that we provide before the camp.
miRcore volunteer program research is based on the CB camp materials, so we highly recommend taking this camp if you want to become a miRcore volunteer and lead or otherwise participate in a school club GIDAS (Genes in Diseases and Symptoms).
Thank you for your interest in our virtual computational biology camp.
We are currently full in the June 17-21 camp; additional applications will go on the waitlist. You may consider other dates since all CB camps (either in-person or virtual) follow the same research process.
On day 1, each small group will determine a disease of focus on which they will work to identify either novel diagnostics or treatment options. Their research tools will be those currently used by scientists. This approach is different from conventional high school education as there are no right answers, only uncertain but logical exploration towards new findings.
| CB Camps | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | June 17 – June 21, 2024 | 9 am – 4 pm (Central Time), running independently |
| Session 2 | June 24 – June 28, 2024 | 9 am – 4 pm (Central Time), running independently |
| Session 3 | July 22 – July 26, 2024 | 9 am – 4 pm (Pacific Time), running together with the Scripps camp |
For the in-person camps at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI or Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, please visit HERE. *Thank you for your interest. We are currently full for all in-person camps.
For more computationally-intensive research including programming, we offer Biotechnology Sequencing Camp (Linux shell script) and R Programming Research Camp.
Campers learn to understand these types of graphs and use them for disease research
Examples of camper-generated research results
LOCATION: Online
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Academically motivated current (2023-24) high school and incoming 9th grade students interested in computers, math, science, and medicine.
TUITION: $680 (without miRcore student membership) OR $770 (including one-year miRcore student membership $300 value)
Two camps: $1,350 (including one-year miRcore student membership)
Three camps: $1,910 (including one-year miRcore student membership)
After reviewing your essay in the application form, we will inform you regarding acceptance within 7-10 business days. If accepted, you will be sent payment options. Limited partial scholarships are available for financially-challenged students such as those in a free or reduced lunch programs. Proof of income is required.
A computer with internet connection is required to join the online camp.
APPLICATION FEE: $50
Students with miRcore membership and camp certificates will be qualified to become miRcore volunteers. Students in the high school volunteer program, which runs throughout the school year, determine a disease of focus for the year, collaborate with similar level students in researching the disease, and found/lead a school club GIDAS (pronounced guide-us; Genes in Diseases and Symptoms). Out-of-state students can join the volunteer meetings through an online meeting platform.
Camp Overview
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theme | Genes in diseases | Gene expression | Statistics and biology | Gene networks | Social impact |
| Focus |
Personalized medicine and DNA |
RNA and microarrays |
T-test and Gene Ontology |
Protein functions and Pathways | Molecular functions and diseases |
| Goal | Initial group presentations on a disease of choice | Determining a dataset for group research | Identifying RNA biomarkers in a disease | Identifying biological functions to focus on |
Final group presentations PARENTS INVITED |
Refund Policy
– The $100 administrative fee 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 30, 2024.
– If a student withdraws between April 30, 2024 and three weeks before the camp starting date, we will refund 50 percent of the camp fee paid.
– Refunds will be given until three weeks before the camp starting date.
Sponsors:
