Welcome to the Bioinformatics Booster Programme!
Are you curious about how scientists use data to understand the living world? This programme will give you the chance to explore how coding and biology come together to solve real scientific problems.
The Bioinformatics Booster Programme (BBP) offers you an insight into how scientists analyse data through a series of four questions, released across the academic year. In these questions, you will analyse biological data, spot patterns, and make evidence-based predictions. You’ll learn how to use R, a powerful tool used by researchers across the globe, and present your work just like a career scientist.
This programme is free to enter, and designed for school/Sixth Form students who are curious, creative, and ready to try something new. No prior coding experience is needed; below is a collection of guides and introductory advice for you to begin your coding journey.
Popular AI tools are excellent for troubleshooting problems, please just make sure a parent or guardian has given you permission to use them. This programme encourages the use of AI tools to aid your work; it is up to you to critique and adjust the output of these tools to ensure your answers are the best they can be.
Guide to R: Video and PDF guide
You’ll gain experience in:
- Using R to explore and visualise data
- Understanding evolutionary concepts
- Communicating scientific findings clearly
- Creative problem-solving with a research mindset
Whether you’re thinking about a future in science, or just want to try your hand at a real-world challenge, this competition is a unique opportunity to think like a researcher and show off your ideas. Outstanding entries will be recognised with certificates and prizes.
Our opening question releases soon, please keep an eye at the deadlines listed below, and make sure to submit your work in time!
Please register here before submitting your answers:
Question 1 Release: 1st October 2025
Question 1 Deadline: 30th November 2025 (23:59pm GMT)
Question 2 Release: 1st December 2025
Question 2 Deadline: 31st January 2026 (23:59pm GMT)
Question 3 Release: 1st February 2026
Question 3 Deadline: 31st March 2026 (23:59pm GMT)
Question 4 Release: 1st April 2026
Question 4 Deadline: 31st May 2026 (23:59pm GMT)
Email submissions or any queries to Bioinformaticsbooster@homerton.cam.ac.uk
About the BBP
Homerton College is grateful for the support of the Isaac Newton Trust for funding this first year of the BBP. The programme is run by Lawrence Cutler with support from Dr Andrew Catherall-Ostler.
Lawrence Cutler (Programme Lead): Hi everyone! As a Natural Sciences graduate from Homerton College, I specialised in Zoology and Systems Biology.
My main interest is in using modern tools, like artificial intelligence, to study animal behaviour and disease, especially how data can help us understand complicated biological systems. I also supervise undergraduate Zoology students, supporting them in their second and final years. This programme was designed to help curious students explore a wide range of scientific topics and see how different principles can be linked together through interesting real-world data.
