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Classic bioinformatics curricula are limited by a relatively rigid course compartmentalization, employment of expensive IT/Bioinformatics proprietary tools, and limited grading system as an outcome for completing the course. Here we present a curriculum infused with real-life research-based projects such as whole genome analysis, gene expression array and molecular dynamics, applied for aging, cancer and pharmacogenomics. These projects serve as pivotal points for integrating biomedical, computer science and statistics into one coherent interdisciplinary subject known as bioinformatics. Each project has scientific objectives serving as underlying platform for educational goals. Students join the projects after completing a basic course familiarizing them with the technical and scientific aspects of the projects. The curriculum is based on 100% open source, cutting edge, evolving technology. This allows teaching students to use the most current technology at the fraction of proprietary software price. The utilization of real-life projects brings excitement of involvement in pertinent discoveries and facilitates learning and open sharing of ideas. As the outcome of completing the projects, students will develop the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience that will make them competitive in today's intensive and rapidly changing field of computational biology.