WEBINAR: Getting started with RNAseq: Transforming raw reads into biological insights

This record includes training materials associated with the Australian BioCommons webinar ‘Getting started with RNAseq: Transforming raw reads into biological insights’. This webinar took place on 6 September 2023.

Event description 

RNA sequencing (RNAseq) is a powerful technique for investigating gene expression in biological samples. Processing and analysing RNAseq data involves multiple steps to align raw sequence reads to a reference genome, count the number of reads mapped to each gene, and perform statistical analyses to identify differentially expressed genes and functionally annotate them. RNAseq experiments have many different applications as we apply them to a variety of research questions and organisms. This diversity of applications can make it challenging to appreciate all the design considerations, processing requirements, and limitations of RNAseq experiments as they apply to you.

In this webinar, you will gain an understanding of the key considerations for designing and performing your own successful experiments with bulk RNA. We’ll start at the lab bench with RNA extraction, quality control, and library preparation, then move to the sequencing machine where you will make essential decisions about sequencing platforms, optimal sequencing depth, and the importance of replicates. We’ll talk about bioinformatics workflows for RNAseq data processing and the computational requirements of transforming raw sequencing reads to analysis-ready count data. Finally, we’ll discuss how to apply differential expression and functional enrichment analyses to gain biological insights from differentially expressed genes.

This webinar was developed by the Sydney Informatics Hub in collaboration with the Australian BioCommons.

Training materials

Materials are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International agreement unless otherwise specified and were current at the time of the event.

Files and materials included in this record:

Event metadata (PDF): Information about the event including, description, event URL, learning objectives, prerequisites, technical requirements etc.


Index of training materials (PDF): List and description of all materials associated with this event including the name, format, location and a brief description of each file.


Getting started with RNAseq: A PDF copy of the slides presented during the webinar.

Materials shared elsewhere:

A recording of this webinar is available on the Australian BioCommons YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/tITR3WR_jWI