qPCR Application Workshops

All four workshops are hosted by BioEPS GmbH (www.bioeps.com) and TATAA Biocenter Germany (http://workshops.gene-quantification.info)
The qPCR workshop laboratories and seminar rooms are very close to the central lecture hall.

The workshops are aimed at giving participants a deep and objective understanding of real-time quantitative PCR, biostatistics, expression profiling, and its applications. The courses are intended for academic or industrial persons considering working with qPCR or scientists currently working with qPCR seeking a deeper understanding.
Please have a look to the workshops of the next workshops


Four different 2-day workshops will be held in parallel at 12th to 13th March at the qPCR 2009 Event:

Workshop topics:

• Basis Module qPCR Application Workshop  (2-days)    ( fully booked )
  
• qPCR Biostatistics & Expression Profiling  (2-days)
• Sample Preparation  (2-days)    ( fully booked )
• High-Resolution-Melt (day 1)   &   Immuno qPCR (day 2)     ( fully booked )

All workshops offer extensive hands-on training by qPCR experts from BioEPS GmbH team (www.bioeps.com)
Leading probe technologies will be demonstrated, common and emerging instrument platforms will be available and advanced primer and probe design programs will be used. Hands-on training will be provided on quantitative gene expression, including design and optimization of both RT and qPCR protocols.
Participating companies are asked to support the workshops with PCR cyclers, qPCR kits, consumables, centrifuges, pipettes etc…. Please contact Michael Pfaffl or Martina Reiter at bioEPS GmbH or the TATAA Biocenter Germany  Martina.Reiter@bioEPS.com  for information and details.

The course covers all aspects in qPCR and is held during 2-days. Each course is app. 50% hands-on and is limited to app. 30 participants, resulting in very interactive teaching and everybody given the opportunity to try the instrumentation. After the course participants will be able to plan and perform qPCR experiments themselves, as well as interpret and analyze data. Detailed course material and full catering (lunch, coffee, soft drinks and snacks) are included in the course fee. Course starts at   9:00 Course ends at  17:00

Preliminary online agenda: Symposium & Workshops =>  http://online-agenda.qpcr2009.net/

Internet based REGISTRATION platform  =>  http://registration.qpcr2009.net/

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real-time PCR Application Workshop  (2-days):

The 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:

Day 1:
•    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, TaqMan, Molecular Beacons...etc)
•    Different instrument plattforms 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

Day 2:
This course covers aspects in sample preparation and reverse transcriptions.
•    Principles of RT
•    Priming methods for RT
•    What enzymes are preferential for different applications
•    Sample Preparation (Extraction of RNA and DNA)
•    Introduction to statsitics and statistical analysis of data

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qPCR Biostatistics & Expression Profiling  (2-days):

This course explains statistics applicable to qPCR and teaches how to use statistics to interpret real-time PCR gene expression data, and classify samples based on real-time PCR expression profiling. Course is based on seminars and computer-based demonstrations. Please bring your own Laptop to the course!

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.

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Sample Preparation (2-days)

One of the most important requirements to get good results from qPCR experiment is to have a template of good quality. In most cases this means having an efficient sample preparation. This course module is focused on extraction of RNA and DNA to be used as template in qPCR and reverse transcription reactions. The course covers:

•    Overview of nucleic acid extraction methods
•    How to properly determine the concentration of purified nucleic acids
•    Extraction from limited amount of material and single cells
•    Storage biological samples and purified nucleic acids
•    Quality control of purified material
•    Integrity of purified RNA
•    How to test for the presence of inhibitors 

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HRM  (on day 1)    &   Immuno-qPCR  (on day 2):

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:

qPCR workshop sponsors:

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Any questions =>  Please contact Michael Pfaffl or Martina Reiter at bioEPS GmbH
Martina.Reiter@bioEPS.com    or    Michael.Pfaffl@tataa.com