Join the D-Challenge - A Bioinformatics Challenge Focused on Type 1 Diabetes!

What is the D-Challenge?

Type 1 Diabetes is a multifactorial disease that is studied by many scientific disciplines. thesugarscience, is partnering with dkNET (the NIDDK Information Network) to bring the full power of on-line digital resources to the challenge of Type 1 Diabetes.  We are inviting you to participate in the D-Challenge, a bio-informatics competition where the winners will claim prizes to be used to further their research.

The D-Challenge is a community research challenge designed to increase awareness and use of the rich ecosystem of on-line tools and data findable through dkNET to develop a compelling hypothesis about the biology, treatment, or sequelae of Type 1 Diabetes.  It is open to participants of all skill levels, from students to skilled bioinformaticians and data scientists.

The goal in this challenge is to bring investigators across disciplines to apply their skills and passion to the problem of T1D:  its biology, treatment and sequelae, through the use of a rich interconnected ecosystem of data tools and resources.  The extensive resources and tools hosted through dkNET provide the opportunity to catalyze searches for novel pathways implicated in disease pathophysiology and / or identify new therapeutic targets.  As a partner in the D-Challenge, dkNET provides access to these resources and tools in an easily available setting, fostering discovery by the broad community of investigators focused on T1D.

Participants will be organized into two tracks, depending on the amount of bioinformatics experience they have, to ensure that the competition is open to all who are interested in learning about the rich ecosystem of online tools.

Bioinformatics Novice Track: Participants will learn about online bioinformatics tools and services through a number of online webinars and bootcamp sessions. This track is meant to introduce the use of online resources to enable novice users to begin exploring the vast amount of data and information available through open online resources. This challenge will focus on identifying appropriate online resources for specific questions participants may have regarding the biology, treatment, or sequelae of T1D.

Bioinformatics Expert Track: Entries will be judged on the creative use of public tools, data, and knowledge resources to develop a compelling hypothesis regarding the biology, treatment, or sequelae of T1D.  Participants are expected to use multiple on-line tools and platforms and to develop a plan as to how the hypothesis could be tested.  The challenge focuses on in-silico development and testing and will not involve a wet lab component.  

Check out the 2021 D-CHALLENGE WINNERS

Sign up for our newsletter to learn more and check the D-Challenge webiste at https://thesugarscience.org/d-challenge-2022/! 

dkNET is partnering again with the(sugar)science

Discover T1D Research Resources through dkNET  

  Discovery Portal: Discover T1D data and resources across +200 biomedical databases