NIBLSE: Network for Integrating Bioinformatics into Life Sciences Education

Bioinformatics is becoming increasingly important in all facets of biological research. Yet many undergraduate students in life sciences lack training in this crucial discipline, hampering both their future career options as well as overall research productivity. We have formed the Network for Integrating Bioinformatics into Life Sciences Education (NIBLSE; pronounced “nibbles”) to address this important issue. The goals of NIBLSE include 1) identifying, vetting, and refining a set of bioinformatics core competencies that are essential to undergraduate life sciences education; 2) identifying and vetting assessment tools that align with the core competencies and will facilitate educational research related to integrating bioinformatics into the life sciences; 3) organizing and simplifying the dissemination of curricular materials, assessment tools, and professional development resources that align with the core competencies. An inaugural NIBLSE conference was held in April 2014; 25 representatives from life science and computer science faculty, industry, and education journals attended. We continue to grow the network and invite those interested to join with us. See http://niblse.unomaha.edu for more information.

Initial funding for NIBLSE was provided by NSF (DBI 1346559). Future network activities will be funded by NSF RCN-UBE: Network for Integrating Bioinformatics into Life Sciences Education (NIBLSE) (DBI 1539900).