The classroom version continues, but the jump to a web-based portal allows the same rich content to be enjoyed by a disparate group of scholars at their own pace and on their own time
Geneva Bioinformatics (GeneBio) and Wiley-VCH have announced their partnership in the distribution of e-Proxemis, GeneBio's web-based proteomics training portal.
Wiley-VCH will be the exclusive sales agent outside Japan to market and distribute the portal.
Wiley-VCH will make e-Proxemis available through its Wiley InterScience platform and will join forces with GeneBio to actively market the product to a global audience of life science researchers.
e-Proxemis is the refinement of the successful Proxemis concept that for the last three years has involved a physical classroom setting for a weeklong, proteomics- intensive tutorial.
The classroom version continues to enjoy success with corporate clients, but the jump to a web-based portal allows the same rich content to be enjoyed by a disparate group of scholars at their own pace and on their own time.
"Proteomics is under constant revision both in the rate of data accumulation and in the diversity of the biological information being generated through a multitude of technologies; we realise that today's life scientists are under enormous pressure to both comprehend and utilise a constantly expanding profusion of bioinformatics tools and resources," said Nasri Nahas, CEO of GeneBio.
"The e-Proxemis platform is our response to these scientists.
"By taking a very hands-on and real life example-based training approach, we believe e-Proxemis will tremendously help non- bioinformaticians make the best of available resources in order to generate more pertinent knowledge.
"Our goal from this endeavour is to give life scientists the bioinformatics background they need through a self-learning platform that mirrors real-world situations with dynamic content.
"We are confident that e-Proxemis will continue to evolve and expand in sync with the needs of the industry".
The entry point for e-Proxemis depends upon the aim of the user: a theoretical lesson about a bioinformatics resource, problem solving, in-depth learning, etc.
Whatever the entry point, the user is guided along logical and adequate navigation through theoretical sections, real examples or practice.
The content of e-Proxemis is divided into four sections:.
1) Resources, which are split between databases and tools and grouped into categories, more or less fitting the major themes of bioinformatics.
2) Case Studies, which depict a stepwise strategy for searching information in order to solve a real problem, using the different resources described above.
3) Scenarios, which are a series of case studies, reflecting real life examples of what researchers encounter in their research.
4) Practice, which includes a series of quizzes to help the user situate their skill in each domain of bioinformatics, as well as exercises of various levels to apply what has been learned within Resources or Case Studies.
In addition to the core content, e-Proxemis offers a number of other features, notably a 'personal space' area where users can both bookmark various parts of the content for future perusal and add personal notes to these bookmarked items that can be reviewed during future sessions.
New content will be added on a regular basis in order to form an ongoing learning environment that can be returned to again and again.
"We believe the e-Proxemis platform fills a valuable niche in the world of life science training," said Carol Bacchus, editorial director life and medical sciences of Wiley-VCH.
"Traditional classes are still a productive and valuable commodity, but online learning environments take the best of available coursework and make it both affordable and available to individual scientists.
"The regularly updated content and resources ensure that users keep returning to this invaluable platform.
"We believe the e-Proxemis platform fits well with our publishing business and particularly well within the framework of Wiley InterScience; we feel that this partnership will help to further enhance the recognition of Wiley excellence in the scientific community".
e-Proxemis is available for both individuals interested in enhancing their knowledge of bioinformatics and also for groups or companies who wish to educate internal departments.
If an even more specialised training is required, contact GeneBio to enquire about its customised classroom programme, Proxemis.
