Workshops

Biostatistics and gene expression profiling

Day 1
Statistical analysis of real-time PCR data.

Lectures cover the principles of statistics, including Gaussian statistics, the central limit theorem, p values and statistical hypothesis testing, z-scores, rank-based methods (non-Gaussian), comparison of two groups (paired and unpaired t-test), Mann Whitney test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher’s exact test. Outlier detection (Dixon’s test, Grubb’s test, Cochran’s test), ANOVA and classical calibration (least square fit, correlation coefficient, Hottelings’ area). During computer based workshop participants will learn how to analyze typical real-time PCR data sets. Examples include identification of outliers, and how to compare means and variances of paired and unpaired studies.

Day 2
Gene expression profiling with real-time PCR

Lectures cover methods to classify samples and genes. The methods presented include Principal Component Analysis, Potential Curves, Hierachical Clustering, Self-Organizing Maps, and Trilinear Decomposition. During computer based workshops participants will classify metabolic genes in yeast, developmental stages in Xenopus laevis, Breast cancer data, and developing stem cells.

Schedule

Day 1

This introductory course consists of a theoretical part and a practical part where participants get to do qPCR experiments by themselves under experienced supervision. The course contains:

• Basic PCR theory

• The theory of real-time PCR
• Applications and possibilities of qPCR. Comparison of qPCR with regular PCR.
• Review of currently available detection technologies (SYBR Green I, hydrolysis probes, Molecular Beacons...etc)
• Different instrument platforms and their typical uses
• Primer design
• The problem of primer-dimer formation and how to minimize them
• Probe design
• Experimental design and optimization
• Basic data handling and analysis
•  Principles of RT and different priming strategies

Day 2

Building further on the topics from the previous day, apart from a brief review of the above:

• Introduction to quantification principles
• Quantification strategies, uses and limitations
• Calculations using different relative quantification methods
• Strategies for normalization of qPCR data
• In situ calibration for compensation of inhibition in samples
• Absolute quantification

Schedule

High resolution melting

This is an introductory course in HRM, where a high resolved melting curve is used to analyze very small differences in melting temperature of PCR products, differences that can be due to a single base substitution.
The course includes seminars as well as hands-on training where the participants get to perform experiments. The course covers:

• Introduction to HRM
• Assay design
• SNP – analysis
• Gene scanning
• Methylation analysis
• Review of available HRM instruments
• Examples of other applications 

Schedule

Invited speakers course

This course has been developed exclusively for this event. Experts from the field of qPCR will lecture on the topics closest to their hearts. The course will cover topics such as single cell analysis, personalised molecular diagnostics, micro RNA signatures, gene silencing and qPCR experimental design. The invited speakers are:

• Stephen Bustin
  The case for MIQE guidelines
• Michael Pfaffl
  mRNA & microRNA integrity - the key to success in real-time RT-PCR
• Vladimir Benes
  Gene expression regulation; microRNA signatures and gene silencing
• Anders Ståhlberg
  Single cell gene expression profiling; step by step
• Mikael Kubista
  qPCR experimental design - how to get the most out of your experiment
• Jane Theaker
  Scorpions and personalized medicine
• Ales Tichopad
  Quality control in the qPCR experiments based on amplification compatibility test

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discuss interesting topics with the experts in your field!

Schedule