R Genetics

Genetic data are represented by sequences of DNA bases (ATCG) that compose the genomes of all organisms. With this information, we are able to study the genetic composition of individuals, populations, species, and clades. We can determine how related two or more species are, what are the genetic boundaries of species, and how species have evolved through time and may evolve in the future. We can even assess the health of a population with genetic data. Genetic studies have many implications, from health (human or otherwise), pharmaceutics, forensics, agronomy, conservation, taxonomy, evolution, and many more.

In this introductory 4-day course, we will introduce concepts related to DNA, how genetic data look like, what common formats are used to store genetic data, how to create phylogenetic trees and estimate parameters related to population health.

For this purpose, we will use R, a free and common statistical software and programming language widely use as a tool in biology and other sciences. You will learn what R and Rstudio are, how to set up your computer to begin your work, how to read the data you need, and how to perform the tasks mentioned above.