This beginner-friendly course provides essential knowledge in molecular biology. Designed for those with little to no prior background, the course serves as a foundation for further studies in bioinformatics and genomics. It is particularly useful for those preparing to apply for the upcoming OMICSS-26 Genome Bioinformatics Summer School, as it is one of the key bridge courses.
Dr. Roksana Zakharyan, is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2013. During her doctoral studies, as part of the International Visegrad Scholarship program, Dr. Zakharyan spent five months at Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic) in the Department of Immunogenetics and Immunoproteomics, followed by a short-term postdoctoral fellowship at the same institution. From 2018 to 2025, Dr. Zakharyan served as Head of the Department of Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, and Molecular Biology at the Russian-Armenian University (RAU). She currently holds the position of Director of the Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy. In addition, she is an Adjunct Lecturer at the American University of Armenia (AUA). Her research interests span molecular biology, genetic engineering, genomics, autoimmunity, autoinflammation, and psychiatry. Dr. Zakharyan is the Principal Investigator of several national and international research projects. Outside of her professional work, Roksana enjoys running, cycling, and dancing.
Teaching assistant: Mher Kurghinyan
Students who complete the course will learn the basics of molecular biology, including fundamental concepts and an introduction to key topics, while developing a biological way of thinking—an essential step toward a career in bioinformatics or the life sciences. The course is beginner-friendly and also serves as a bridge course for those who lack biological knowledge but wish to apply to the OMICSS-26 Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.
The course covers a range of topics, including:
The Cell: Understanding cellular structures and their functions.
Biological Molecules: Exploring the roles of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and proteins.
Information Flow in the Cell: Examining processes such as DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, and translation.
Cell Cycle and Cell Division: Studying the mechanisms of cell reproduction.
Mutations and Variations: Learning about genetic mutations and their implications.
All of the topics mentioned above are also available for self-study in our Bioinformatics Guide.
This course is designed for beginners with little to no prior knowledge of molecular biology who wish to explore its basics and gain an introduction to the subject.
To successfully complete the course, students must have a good command of English to read and comprehend the course material. Applicants must be enrolled in at least the first year of a Bachelor’s program (or higher). Additionally, participants must be available to attend lessons in person, as the course is offered exclusively offline.
Location: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute, Ezras Hasratyan 7, Yerevan, Armenia
Start date: February 20
End date: March 13
Schedule: Monday, Friday, 18:00-19:30
The courses have maximum capacity of 20 seats and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given to applicants who intend to apply to the OMICSS-26 Genome Bioinformatics Summer School.
Those who wish to enroll must complete the application form. The registration deadline is February 15th at 23:59 Yerevan time. Please note that the course lasts for three weeks.
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us via the following means:
