Workshop on Network Pharmacology Using Bioinformatics Tools

The Workshop on Network Pharmacology Using Bioinformatics Tools is designed for students, researchers, and professionals in the biotech, pharma, and life sciences sectors. The workshop focuses on the convergence of pharmacology and bioinformatics, emphasizing the importance of network-based approaches in understanding drug interactions, target identification, and system-level biological responses. Participants will gain insights into cutting-edge tools and methodologies that are transforming drug discovery and development.

To empower participants with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to leverage bioinformatics tools in the exploration of network pharmacology, fostering advancements in drug discovery and personalized medicine.

Day 1: Introduction and Target Retrieval Introduction to Network Pharmacology

• Definition and significance in drug discovery
• Overview of the workshop modules

Target Retrieval

• Methods for identifying drug targets
• Databases and resources for target retrieval 

HandsOn Session: Retrieving Targets

• Practical session on retrieving targets using various databases
• Filtering and organizing obtained data

Day 2: Hands on session: Network Construction and Analysis Constructing Networks

• Building networks using Cytoscape
• Importing and visualizing data

Network Analysis with CytoNCA

• Introduction to CytoNCA for network centrality analysis
• Key concepts: degree centrality, betweenness centrality, etc.
• Analyzing network properties using CytoNCA
• Identifying key nodes and hub proteins

Day 3: Hands on Session: Functional Enrichment and Visualization GO and Pathway Analysis

• Basics of Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analysis

ClueGO for Functional Enrichment

• Introduction to ClueGO plugin in Cytoscape
• Setting up and configuring ClueGO

Advanced Visualization Techniques

• Enhancing network visualizations in Cytoscape
• Integrating and displaying GO and pathway analysis results

Requirements:

• Equipment: Windows PC with a good internet connection
• Software: Cytoscape installed with ClueGO and CytoNCA plugins