Strengthening bioinformatics education: e-learning initiatives across ELIXIR Nodes and Communities
Journal article, 2025
The rapid evolution of bioinformatics and data-driven life sciences necessitates widespread, effective training solutions capable of transcending geographical and institutional boundaries. ELIXIR, as a pan-European bioinformatics research infrastructure, has strategically embraced e-learning methodologies to meet this challenge. This white paper systematically reviews the current landscape of e-learning initiatives across various ELIXIR Nodes and Communities, detailing both historical developments and contemporary practices. It identifies core attributes and desirable features of effective e-learning, presenting an analysis of diverse educational platforms and the deployment of Learning Management Systems (LMS) within ELIXIR's framework. Emphasis is placed on the interactive, open-access, and sustainable nature of these resources, exemplified by platforms such as the Training e-Support System (TeSS) and the ELIXIR-SI eLearning Platform (EeLP). The paper highlights critical advancements toward standardization and interoperability through initiatives such as the adoption of SCORM protocols, facilitating resource reuse across Nodes. Additionally, the integration of e-learning into broader educational strategies-such as hybrid learning environments and structured learning paths-is examined. Finally, future directions are discussed, including strategies for integrating e-learning with traditional training methods, enhancing trainer expertise, and further expanding the availability and FAIRification of bioinformatics training resources.
Learning Management Systems
FAIR Principles
Bioinformatics Training
E-learning
Author
Monique Zahn-Zabala
Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics
Minna Ahokas
CSC
Bérénice Batut
Clermont Auvergne University
Institut Français de Bioinformatique
Sebastian Beier
Jülich Research Centre
Alexander Botzki
Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology
Alexia Cardona
University of Cambridge
Kristina Gruden
National Institute of Biology
Eija Korpelainen
CSC
Maria Lehtivaara
CSC
Brane Leskošek
University of Ljubljana
Bogdan Mirăuță
Romanian Bioinformatics Cluster
Ajay Mishra
European Bioinformatics Institute
Cyril Pommier
University Paris-Saclay
Krzysztof Poterlowicz
University of Bradford
Helena Rasche
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Olivier Sand
Institut Français de Bioinformatique
Rob Waterhouse
Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics
Samantha Wittke
CSC
Cătălina Zenoaga-Barbăroșie
Romanian Bioinformatics Cluster
Petre Mihail Anton
ELIXIR Hub
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Systems and Synthetic Biology
Daniel Wibberg
Jülich Research Centre
F1000Research
20461402 (eISSN)
Vol. 14 ELIXIR-1422Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Anesthesiology and Intensive Care
Bioinformatics (Computational Biology)
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Neurosciences
Epidemiology
DOI
10.12688/f1000research.173116.1
PubMed
41585460