As the new term begins, HSLS’s Molecular Biology Information Service (MBIS) is pleased to highlight resources designed to support data-intensive bioinformatics research across the University of Pittsburgh’s health sciences community. Whether you are launching a new project, refining an analysis, or building your programming skills, MBIS provides tools and expertise to help you move from raw data to publishable insights—efficiently and confidently.
No-Code Bioinformatics Software
Imagine performing sophisticated analyses without writing a single line of code. MBIS makes that possible by providing access to a curated suite of premium, licensed bioinformatics software. These tools feature intuitive graphical interfaces so you can focus on your scientific questions—not on configuration or syntax.
For sequence and variant work, tools such as SnapGene, CLC Genomics Workbench, DNASTAR Lasergene, and Sequencher support cloning design, primer design, Sanger/NGS assembly, and variant calling, while knowledgebases like HGMD and TRANSFAC/MATCH add disease-variant context and transcription-factor binding site discovery/enrichment for regulatory analysis.
The MBIS software portfolio streamlines workflows and deepens biological insight. This includes bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptome analysis with guided differential expression pipelines (CLC Genomics Workbench; Partek Flow) along with functional enrichment, upstream-regulator, and causal-network discovery (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis), and meta-analysis against thousands of curated public datasets (Correlation Engine).
Hands-on Training and Expert Consultations
Navigating the fast-moving bioinformatics landscape can be challenging. MBIS offers personalized support to empower your research at every stage.
Workshops and Training:
Build practical skills through interactive, hands-on workshops covering cutting-edge bioinformatics and AI-driven research tools. Our sessions encompass bulk RNA-Seq, epigenomics, and advanced topics, including single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, as well as multiomics integration. We also offer training in applied programming using R and Python, as well as workshops on leveraging generative AI tools for data analysis and visualization. If you’re exploring the NIH-sponsored All of Us Researcher Workbench—a secure, cloud-based platform for population health research—don’t miss our focused session, “Introduction to the All of Us Researcher Workbench,” designed to help you harness its rich health data.
Don’t miss out on upcoming sessions—view the Fall 2025 class schedule and register for MBIS workshops. Together, these services lower technical barriers, promote methodological rigor, and shorten the time from data acquisition to interpretable results.
Individual Consultations:
Schedule a one-on-one session with our bioinformatics and data science specialists for guidance on experimental design, analysis strategies, statistical methods, or getting started (and unstuck) with R and Python.
Stay Informed
Subscribe to What’s New in MBIS, our biweekly blog highlighting upcoming workshops, newly licensed tools, and practical tips for your analyses.
Contact Us
Questions or ready to request a consultation? Email us. MBIS welcomes inquiries from investigators, trainees, and instructors seeking support with study design, analysis planning, software selection, and skill development in bioinformatics and data science. We look forward to working with you this year.
~Ansuman Chattopadhyay