Alongside our clinical and technical imaging events, we successfully organised a specialist national Bioinformatics Workshop for Multi-Omic Analysis in Lymph Node Immunology, led by Cardiff University. Designed to address the rapidly growing need for advanced computational skills in immunological research, this initiative brought together early-career researchers, clinical scientists, and academics from across the GW4 Alliance and the broader, national Lymph Node Research UK (LNRUK) network.
The curriculum was designed and implemented by Dr. Barbara Szomolay, Senior Lecturer in Systems Immunology at Cardiff University’s School of Medicine and the Systems Immunity Research Institute (SIURI). As a leading interdisciplinary expert in mathematical biology and data-driven immunology, Dr. Szomolay guided participants through the essential analytical frameworks required to process, integrate, and interpret high-dimensional multi-omic datasets, including single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and immunometabolomics. The hands-on workshop focused on practical computational pipelines, equipping researchers with the tools to translate complex biological data into meaningful insights regarding tissue architecture, cell-cell communication, and lymph node microenvironments.
Feedback from attending delegates was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the course's value in demystifying complex bioinformatics workflows and bridging the gap between wet-lab biology and quantitative data analysis. Attendees emphasised how these practical skills directly will enhance their capacity to execute rigorous, high-level multi-omic research.
We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Szomolay for dedicating her time, leadership, and deep scientific expertise to upskilling the next generation of researchers. As a highly valued member of the Welsh Lymph Node Research Hub, GW4 Lymph Node Research Consortium and the broader LNRUK network, her contribution exemplifies the collaborative spirit required to drive modern immunological discovery.
Given the success of this event, we are excited to confirm that this bioinformatics workshop will return next year as a core training fixture, continuing to foster cross-institutional collaboration and build national expertise in data-driven lymph node immunology. We thank the funder, GW4 Alliance, for their support to successfully implement this day.
Dr. Barbara Szomolay is a Senior Lecturer within the Division of Infection and Immunity and the Systems Immunity Research Institute at the Cardiff University School of Medicine.
An interdisciplinary researcher specialising in systems immunology and mathematical biology, Dr. Szomolay’s research focuses on uncovering the organisational principles of cell signaling, T-cell antigen recognition, and host-pathogen interactions. Her work bridges experimental immunology and computational modelling to understand complex immune dynamics, ranging from cellular immunity in viral and bacterial infections to immunometabolic changes associated with ageing and chronic inflammatory conditions.
At Cardiff University, she is actively involved in advancing translational research, network collaborations, and innovative data-driven approaches to improve our understanding of immune responses and disease pathogenesis.
