Molecular Pathology and Diagnosis of Cancer

10-15 November 2013

Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge

Now closed for applications

Course summary

A joint initiative of the Wellcome Trust and the Royal College of Pathologists and aimed primarily at trainee pathologists or haematologists, this residential course inaugurated in 2012 aims to introduce participants to the rapidly evolving field of the molecular diagnosis of cancer. Clinical scientists entering the field of molecular diagnosis are also encouraged to apply.

The course consists of a series of practical, laboratory-based sessions covering current diagnostic methodologies, followed by talks and demonstrations of next generation sequencing platforms, including the latest developments in genomic technologies. In addition, the ethical, societal and practical implications of introducing genome-wide genetic analyses to the clinic will be considered.

The course will host a number of leading national and international speakers who will give lectures on the molecular pathology of a number of cancers, including lung, colorectal, leukaemia, myeloma and others.

PLEASE NOTE: bursaries are available for clinical and academic applicants from anywhere in the world to attend this course, see below for details. In addition, CPD accreditation (20 credits) was approved by the Royal College of Physicians in 2012. A similar application will be submitted for the 2013 course.

Course programme

Topics to be covered in lectures and practicals will include:

Standard and real-time PCR
DNA electrophoresis
Capillary (Sanger) sequencing
Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)
Karyotyping
State-of-the-art next-generation sequencing technologies
Target enrichment approaches
Bioinformatic analysis for mutation detection

It is anticipated that at the end of the course, participants will have an understanding of current and future molecular methodologies applied to cancer diagnosis and be able to participate in the impending revolution in the practice of clinical pathology and haematology. Additionally, the course hopes to inspire trainees to follow a career in genomic cancer medicine and research.

Course instructors

George Vassiliou (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)
Anthony Bench (Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK)
Bridget Manasse (Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK)
Harold Swerdlow (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)
Peter Ellis (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)
Michael Quail (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)
Serena Nik-Zainal (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)
Elli Papaemmanuil (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)

2012 Guest speakers (2013 speakers TBC shortly)

George Vassiliou (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)
Mike Scott (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK)
Susanna Cooke (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)
Manuel Salto-Tellez (Queen's University Belfast, UK)
David Gonzalez de Castro (The Institute of Cancer Research, UK)
Rachel Butler (Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, UK)
Mark Arends (University of Cambridge, UK)
Ian Cree (Warwick Medical School, UK)
Angela Douglas (Cheshire and Merseyside Genetics Laboratory, UK)
Niccolo Bolli (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK)

Feedback from previous courses

“Excellent course, please continue it!”
“I will definitely encourage other colleagues to attend this course in the future. Excellent overall.”

CPD Accreditation

CPD accreditation (20 credits) was approved by the Royal College of Physicians in 2012. A similar application will be submitted for the 2013 course.

How to apply

Prerequisites
Applicants should be trainee pathologists/haematologists or clinical scientists considering a career in molecular pathology/diagnosis.

Cost
The course is subsidised by the Wellcome Trust. This is a residential course, without exception, and there is a fee of £695 towards board and lodging for clinical and academic applicants. The fee for commercial (non-academic) applicants is £3050.

Bursaries
Limited bursaries are available for non-commercial applicants (50 per cent of fee) and are subject to open competition. If you would like to apply for a bursary, please complete the bursary section of the online application form (see below for application process).

Deadlines
Now closed for applications.