Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection: Basic and Applied Research Approaches

8-14 May 2011

Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge

Now closed for applications
If you would like to receive updates on future courses, please register your interest by sending an email to advancedcourses@hinxton.wellcome.ac.uk, and we will keep you informed.

Course summary

This course will introduce participants to concepts and techniques currently used in studies on the molecular basis of bacterial infection. Several themes will run throughout the week and these will provide a framework for bench experiments, demonstrations, supporting lectures and discussion groups.Core themes will include tissue-based assays, reporters, tissue culture assays, and microscopy (fluorescent and scanning/transmission electron microscopy).

Preliminary programme

Cell assays/reporters
You will handle tissue culture cells and infect them with different pathogens. Invasion will be monitored via reporter gene expression using both pathogen and host promoters. The use of RT and real-time PCR will be discussed. Cells will be examined by confocal and electron (scanning, transmission) microscopy. Theoretical and practical aspects of FACS will be discussed and demonstrated.

Tissue-based assays
You will learn about how to prepare infected tissue for immuno-histochemical analysis. Work covered will include basic histochemistry and immunohistochemistry.

Adhesion assays
You will learn about the use of solid phase binding assays to interrogate the properties of adhesins from pathogens that bind host extracellular matrix proteins.

Demonstrations
The course will be supported by the use of demonstrations including next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, the use of genome browsers, laser capture microscopy, FACS, electron microscopy, and CL3 operation.

Course organisers

• Professor Gordon Dougan (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)
• Dr Rob Kingsley (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

Invited lectures

The course will be supported by several external investigators who will work in the laboratory throughout the course and by international speakers of the highest calibre who will lecture on current cutting-edge topics.

Confirmed 2011 Guest speakers include:

• Professor Liz Hartland (The University of Melbourne, Australia)
• Professor Anne O’Garra (MRC National Institute for Medical Research, UK)
• Professor Gad Frankel (Imperial College London, UK)
• Professor Richard Moxon (University of Oxford, UK)

How to apply

Prerequisites
Applicants should be postdoctoral scientists or senior PhD students engaged in relevant research. Applicants with molecular biology and/or some cell culture experience will be particularly welcome. Clinicians and biomedical/clinical scientists engaged in relevant research are also encouraged to apply.

Cost
The course is subsidised by The Wellcome Trust for scientists based in academic institutions from anywhere in the world. This is a residential course, without exception, and there is a fee of £795 towards board and lodging for non-commercial applicants. The fee for commercial applicants is £3690.

Bursaries
Limited bursaries are available for non-commercial applicants (50 per cent of fee) and are subject to open competition.
Bursary application information, plus terms and conditions

Applications
Applicants will be required to complete an application form containing a 300-word outline of the relevance of the course to their research/clinical work. Please note that documentation supporting their application will be required from the applicant's supervisor/head of department.

To submit an application, please either:

• email for an application form to advancedcourses@hinxton.wellcome.ac.uk
• download the application form [Word 116KB] and our terms and conditions [Word 28KB].

Applications can be accepted by post or email. Sponsors' supporting letters must be returned, signed, by fax or post under separate cover. Please note: Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Applications and letters of support should be sent to:

Wellcome Trust Advanced Courses
Wellcome Trust Genome Campus
Hinxton
Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA
UK

F +44 (0) 1223 495130
E advancedcourses@hinxton.wellcome.ac.uk

Deadlines
Now closed for applications