School of Scientific Computing & Informatics · DevOps & cloud
Cloud Computing for Bioinformatics
Genomics has moved to the cloud because data sets and compute demands outgrew local servers. This course teaches how to run bioinformatics workloads in the cloud securely, reproducibly and without surprise bills.
Course overview
Cloud Computing for Bioinformatics covers the building blocks shared by AWS, Google Cloud and Azure: identity and access, object storage, virtual machines, batch services and managed databases, explained through genomics workloads.
You run an nf-core pipeline on cloud batch infrastructure, design storage tiers for raw and processed data, estimate and control costs, and apply the security and governance controls expected when handling human genomic data.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Explain cloud service models and the core services of the main providers
- Store, move and tier large genomic datasets in object storage
- Run containerised pipelines on cloud batch services with Nextflow
- Estimate, monitor and control cloud costs
- Apply identity, encryption and governance controls for sensitive data
Skills you will practise
Eligibility and prerequisites
Who can apply
- Students and graduates in any science, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, agriculture, geography or computing programme (B.Sc., B.Tech., B.E., BCA, M.Sc., M.Tech., MCA, PhD)
- Researchers, faculty and working professionals in research, healthcare, biotech, pharma or IT who want to apply computing to science
- Final-year students may apply before their results are declared
Prerequisites
- Linux command line
- Some experience running bioinformatics tools
Best suited to
- Bioinformaticians outgrowing local servers
- Research IT and core-facility staff
- Students aiming at bio-IT and cloud roles
Module-wise syllabus
6 modules. Each pairs instructor-led sessions with a hands-on lab on public data.
Topics
- IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
- Regions, accounts and IAM
- The shared-responsibility model
Topics
- Object storage and tiers
- Transfer and integrity
- Public genomic data in the cloud
Topics
- Virtual machines and spot capacity
- Batch services
- Containers in the cloud
Topics
- Executors and work directories
- nf-core on AWS Batch or Google Batch
- Monitoring runs
Topics
- Cost estimation and tagging
- Encryption and audit logs
- Consent, data residency and the Indian DPDP Act
Topics
- Architecture
- Deployment
- Cost report
Practical sessions and projects
Capstone project
Run genomics in the cloud
Design and run a secure, cost-controlled cloud workflow for a sequencing study and document its architecture, cost and governance.
Assessed on the correctness of the analysis, the quality of the code and the reasoning in the write-up. A pass is required for the certificate.
- Cloud fundamentals
Set up a secure cloud project with least-privilege access and budget alerts.
- Data in the cloud
Stage public sequencing data in object storage and verify checksums.
- Compute for pipelines
Run an aligner at scale on a batch service using spot capacity.
- Nextflow on the cloud
Run nf-core/rnaseq on cloud batch and inspect the execution report.
- Cost, security and governance
Estimate the cost of a 100-sample study and write its data-governance plan.
- Project: a cloud genomics platform
Design and run a small, secure, cost-controlled cloud workflow and present its architecture and costs.
Software, tools and datasets
Software and tools
All software is free and open source or free for academic use. Recommended computer: 8 GB RAM, 30 GB free disk, Linux, macOS or Windows with WSL2.
Datasets
- Registry of Open Data on AWS genomics sets: Cloud-hosted public data.registry.opendata.aws
- nf-core test profiles: Pipeline runs at low cost.nf-core
Core reading
- Langmead B, Nellore A (2018). Cloud computing for genomic data analysis and collaboration. Nature Reviews Genetics 19:208–219.
- Di Tommaso P et al. (2017). Nextflow enables reproducible computational workflows. Nature Biotechnology 35:316–319.
Duration, format and fees
- Next cohort
- Dates are sent with your admission offer
- Timetable
- Three evening or weekend sessions a week (IST), plus a lab clinic; intensive and weekend-only schedules on request
- Payment
- Secure online payment link with your admission offer (UPI, cards, net banking). Instalments on request for fees above ₹15,000.
- Refunds
- See the refund and cancellation policy.
Instructor
The instructor for each cohort is named in your admission offer and on this page when the cohort is announced. Vedicgen instructors are selected for hands-on research or industry experience in the subject they teach, and every course is reviewed by a second subject expert.
Questions about who teaches a cohort? [email protected]
Certificate
Learners who complete the course and pass its capstone receive a Vedicgen certificate of completion for Cloud Computing for Bioinformatics, issued by Vivofold, stating the guided hours and skills assessed. Each certificate has a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check.
Apply for Cloud Computing for Bioinformatics
Apply
Send the form below. It takes about five minutes.
Review
An adviser confirms your fit and format within two working days.
Offer
You receive dates, timetable and a secure payment link.
Onboard
Set-up guide, pre-reading and joining links.
Frequently asked questions
Labs use free-tier and credit-funded projects or the course sandbox, sized to stay within free limits. You will never be asked to enter payment details for coursework.
In the live cohort, modules are taught in instructor-led sessions with a weekly lab clinic where you work on real public data with help at hand; every session is recorded. The self-paced format uses the same lessons, labs and datasets with mentor review of your capstone. Both formats end with an assessed project reviewed for the code and the science.
A laptop with at least 8 GB of RAM and about 30 GB of free disk space, running Linux, macOS, or Windows with WSL2. Installation instructions are sent before the first session, and lab clinics help with any set-up problems.
Yes. Learners who complete the course and pass its assessment receive a Vedicgen certificate of completion, issued by Vivofold. Every certificate carries a unique ID and a QR code that anyone, including an employer or admissions office, can check on the certificate verification page.
Apply with the form on this page. Live and in-person cohorts run through the year; the dates, timetable and joining details of the next cohort are sent with your admission offer and listed on this page once announced. Self-paced enrolment opens as soon as your application is accepted.
Yes. No course runs longer than four weeks, and the length is customisable: choose the standard schedule, an intensive one- to two-week schedule, weekends only, or a custom timetable. Pick your preference on the application form; colleges and teams can book their own dates.
Part of a programme
Take this course as part of a programme and save.
Continue learning