Here you will find events organised by the FBN or in which the FBN is significantly involved.
Longitudinal data are typical in livestock research, capturing growth, behaviour, or physiological changes across time. This hands-on workshop introduces methods for analysing longitudinal (repeated-measures) data in R. Participants learn to fit and interpret linear mixed models, manage irregular datasets, and use flexible approaches such as spline-based trajectories. A combination of short lectures and guided coding exercises provide a practical workflow for analysing and visualising longitudinal patterns in animal studies.
Instructor: Frieder Hadlich (FBN)
This five-day course provides an introduction to the foundations of statistical analysis for biological and livestock research. The logical steps of data collection, analysis, and inference require statistical literacy that anyone can learn. Beginning with a refresher on probability calculus, the course covers parameter estimation, statistical tests, linear models, and key experimental designs. Through lectures and hands-on exercises in R, participants develop practical skills for designing experiments, analysing data, and drawing robust scientific conclusions.
Instructors: Dörte Wittenburg, Anja Eggert (both FBN)
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are key statistical tools for synthesizing evidence in livestock research. This hands-on seminar focuses on effect sizes, fixed and random effects models, and heterogeneity. Participants conduct meta-analyses in R using the [meta] package and gain insight into more flexible modeling with [metafor]. Examples from animal science illustrate how synthesis of statistical evidence improves precision, supports robust conclusions, and enables data-driven decision-making.
Instructors: Anja Eggert (DSC)
Part of the FBN Graduate School, but open to all interested scientists at FBN and beyond
REGISTRATION
dsc{at}fbn-dummerstorf.de
Deadline: 21 April 2026
This workshop introduces ontologies and knowledge graphs as tools to organize and connect scientific information. Participants learn how structuring knowledge with consistent and unambiguous terminology improves data interoperability and enables combination of data from different sources. Through hands-on exercises in Protégé, they create a simple ontology, explore existing ontologies (e.g., Animal Trait Ontology), and query data using SPARQL. The workshop demonstrates how these approaches make research data easier to reuse and support data-driven and AI-assisted research in animal science.
Instructors: Max Schröder (University Library Rostock) & Rica Rehfeld (Rostock University Medical Centre, KI Tierwohl)
Part of the FBN Graduate School, but open to all interested scientists at FBN and beyond
REGISTRATION
dsc{at}fbn-dummerstorf.de
Deadline: 20 May 2026
The new basic course introduces participants to the field of fish cell culture. This workshop is offered for the first time and is the first of its kind focusing specifically on fish cell lines. Participants will gain essential theoretical and practical knowledge for the safe handling of fish cell cultures in the laboratory while learning how cell culture approaches can help replace or reduce experiments with live fish, supporting both innovative research and improved animal welfare.