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The eight annual eighth Berlin Complex Trait Analysis of Next Generation Sequence Data Course will be held at the [https://www.mdc-berlin.de/ MDC] in Berlin from September 8-12, 2025. The goal of the course is aims to teach both the theory and application of methods to analyze next-generation sequence (NGS) data for complex human traits. Attendees In addition to lectures, computer software will learn how be applied to design studies, call variants from NGS analyze data, analyze population and familyproblem-based sequence data, and evaluate variant functionality. Analyses will include performing complex trait rare variant association analysis for population and family data via linear mixed models. Exercises solving exercises will be carried out using various computer programs that include ANNOVAR, LDpred2, R, and REGENIEperformed.
TOPICS will include sequence : Sequence alignment, calling variants from NGS data, the VCF format, bioinformatic annotation of variants and regions, quality control of NGS data, Identity by descent and detection of related individuals, association testing framework for quantitative and qualitative traits ([fixed effects, random effects, and generalized linear mixed models (LMM) and linear mixed modelsgeneralized lMM (GLMM)], estimation of heritability, rare variant association methods, polygenic risk scores, pleiotropy, estimating power and sample size for rare variant association studies, and imputation of rare variants and their analysis SOFTWARE: ANNOVAR, and evaluating variant conservation and functionality.BCFtools, GCTA, LDSC regression, LDPHRED2, R, REGENIE
The cost of the 5-day course is €975 for researchers from an academic institution, and €1,950 for individuals from private (for-profit) companies. This fee covers tuition, A Monday evening welcome dinner, and course-related expenses (handouts, etc.) but not room, board, or additional meals. Housing is available for course participants at nearby hotels.