Through a combination of lecture materials and hands-on computational exercises, we explore the use of Trinity for de novo rna-seq assembly and downstream analysis of transcript expression, annotation, differential expression, and interactive data analysis. Although participants will be provided with sample RNA-Seq data sets, they are encouraged to bring their own data for use during the guided studies. We can also include information on applications for cancer transcriptome studies and/or studies of non-model organisms lacking reference genomes.