Seeking EOIs to a MAGs Hackathon and join us at the Microbiome Meeting Next Week 27th May 1pm!

[Tiffanie Nelson]

Dear Microbiome Analysis Community,

Our colleagues in Europe are planning to host a hackathon aimed at Optimising Metagenome-Assembled Genomes (MAGs) Workflows in Galaxy. I am seeking Expressions of Interest to join in this activity from the Australian community. Please read on below for details or come along to next week's Microbiome Analysis Community Meeting to discuss further.

What is this?

Hackathons involve collaborative group work with people outside your normal network, solving problems around a shared topic of interest within a limited period of time. 

• 🚀 Enhancing FAIR MAGs building Workflows

• 📚 Developing user-friendly training materials

• 📊 Advancing workflow evaluation methods (using CAMI infrastructure & real data)

• ⚙️ Building intelligent computational resource estimation tools

In this case, you will connect with a national and international group of experts and enthusiasts. More details about the objectives of this event are here. 

What’s in it for me?

• Collaborative group work: You'll work with people outside your usual network.

• Expert connections: You'll connect with a national and international group of experts and enthusiasts.

• Workflow enhancement: You'll contribute to enhancing MAG workflows.

• Training material development: You'll participate in developing related training materials.

• Skill development: While specific skills are not required, you can enhance your knowledge of microbiome data analysis or MAGs.

• International participation: Opportunity to participate in an international hackathon with colleagues in Europe.

Who can join in?

It is open to anyone who wants to build MAGs or anyone with a general interest in MAGs, microbiome analysis and the associated training to run MAG workflows. To join in the hackathon, some knowledge of microbiome data analysis or MAGs is preferred. 

When is it?

The event is 6-9 Oct 2025. It will run in person in Freiburg, Germany and online.  

How would this work?

Australian BioCommons regularly run satellite events that facilitate participation in global hackathons. Given European business hours coincide with Australian evenings, we would connect with the European hackathon team during some overlapping hours in the afternoon and work asynchronously for the other hours. If there is interest, we would ideally work together in person in Australia (we might be able to find funds to support this).

Are you interested in joining in?

If you think that you might be interested to join in this hackathon event, please let me know by 13 June. I will get back to anyone that shows interest with firmer details. 

Regards,

Tiff

--

Tiff Nelson, PhD (she/her)

Genomics Research Community Engagement Lead
Australian BioCommons

The University of Melbourne

M: +61 (0) 476 985 154

W: biocommons.org.au

I work flexibly. If I am sending this message outside of normal business hours it is because it suits me. There is no expectation on my part that you will respond outside of your working hours.

My position is funded by Bioplatforms Australia and hosted by The University of Melbourne.

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which I work and pay my respects to their Elders, both past and present.