Temporal Population Genomics Workshop

About the Workshop

Ancient and historical DNA studies are redefining our understanding of the past. These studies are very exciting, but require very careful labwork and analyses. This workshop introduces participants to a reproducible pipeline focused on ancient DNA analysis, sequencing workflows, and evolutionary insights using modern bioinformatics tools.

Prerequisites

Access to a Google Colab account
A personal laptop (mandatory for hands-on sessions)
Laptop charging cable
Ubuntu/Linux system in your personal laptop, in case if you don't have Linux you can install MobaXterm
Basic familiarity with command-line tools (recommended but not mandatory)

Getting There

The workshop will be held at National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore.

Campus Entry

Enter through the NCBS main gate and show your confirmation email
Carry a government-issued ID for verification
Security personnel will guide you if needed

Travel Instructions

By Train: Take a prepaid auto or cab to NCBS, GKVK, Bellary Road.

By Airport:

Use cab services or prepaid airport taxis
Take Vayu Vajra airport bus and get down at GKVK Bus Stop
NCBS campus is across the road

Schedule

Workshop Dates: May 9 – 12, 2026

9:00-11:00 Short research talks
11-11:30 tea/coffee
11:30-1 pm Poor DNA in old samples: how do you collect it?
Lunch
2-3:30 pm DNA degrades over time: how do you analyse it?
3:30-4 tea/coffee
4-5:30 What can we learn from these data?
6-7 pm Lab walk through and discussion
7-8 pm dinner

9:00-11:00 Hands on sampling
11-11:30 tea/coffee
11:30-1 pm extraction set up
Lunch
2-3:30 pm extraction
3:30-4 tea/coffee
4-5:30 Qiagen chat corner, participant flash talks
6-7 pm participant flash talks
7-8 pm dinner
8-9 pm refresher on Linux

9:00-11:00 Priya Moorjani talk
11-11:30 tea/coffee
11:30-1 pm finish extractions
Lunch
2-3:30 pm library prep
3:30-4 tea/coffee
4-5:30 pre-processing and authentification
6-7 pm pre-processing and authentification
7-8 pm dinner

9:00-11:00 ancinet mitogenomes
11-11:30 tea/coffee
11:30-1 pm SNP calling
Lunch
2-3:30 pm Population genetics with ancient data
3:30-4 tea/coffee
4-5:30 Population genetics with ancient data
6-7 pm debrief and depart
7-8 pm dinner

NCBS Facilities

Facilities Available

WiFi access (available at registration desk)
Medical support (contact NCBS Reception)
Laundry services (via Guest House)
Gym, swimming pool, and sports complex (with badge)

Food Arrangements

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the NCBS Main Canteen. Dinner is provided on all workshop days except May 12.

Important Guidelines

Wear your name badge at all times
Follow NCBS anti-harassment policy
Return name tags after the event
Bring reusable water bottles (sustainability initiative)

Emergency Contacts

NCBS Reception (24/7): (080) 2366 6001/02/18/19
Meetings Office: +91-80-23666337

Temporal Genomics Workshop

9th – 12th May, 2026