Molecular Approaches to Clinical Microbiology in Africa

10-16 September 2011

Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
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 practical, laboratory-based course aims to introduce clinical microbiologists and laboratory scientists working in Africa to genome-based molecular techniques for the diagnosis and characterisation of, and research into, bacterial pathogens.These techniques shall be: (i) currently applicable in African laboratories; (ii) likely to be applicable in Africa in the foreseeable future; or (iii) of value to participants in interpreting the literature and assessing the likely utility of new technologies as they are developed.

An important objective is to provide a foundation-level of understanding of the philosophy, methods and vocabulary of molecular techniques for those primarily trained in culture-based microbiology.

PLEASE NOTE: Travel bursaries are available to attend this course, see below for details.

Programme

1. Basic molecular biology techniques including preparing, handling, and storing DNA.
2. PCR, including real-time PCR, methods and applications.
3. Determining sequence variation, its visualisation and interpretation, concentrating on conventional approaches.
4. Bioinformatic analysis of molecular and genomic data, particularly the exploitation of web-based tools.
5. Future technologies, overview and potential for clinical microbiology.

Main themes

The course will be based around three pathogen themes which are of particular relevance to the practice of clinical microbiology in Africa, with emphasis on applications that result in health care interventions.There will be a number of techniques and concepts that cross these themes, including, for example, determining antibiotic resistance profiles and the evolution and spread of antibiotic restistance.

Course instructors

Martin Maiden (University of Oxford, UK)
Robert Heyderman (Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Research Programme)
Cath Arnold (Health Protection Agency, UK)
Sam Kariuki (Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya)
Dean Everett (Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Research Programme)
Martin Antonio (Medical Research Council Laboratories, The Gambia)
Mark Nicol (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
Nick Thomson (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK)
Chisomo Msefula (Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Research Programme)

How to apply

Prerequisites
Applicants should be clinical trainees or specialists in medical microbiology; post doctoral scientists, senior technicians or research assistants with a masters degree and demonstrable experience in a relevant field.

Cost
There is no course fee for academics/clinicians as all course costs will be met by The Wellcome Trust. Commercial applicants should contact us for the commercial course fee.

Bursaries
Bursaries are available for clinical and academic applicants to cover travel, accommodation and sustenance costs and are subject to open competition. Please see our bursaries page for application information and 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 clinical work/research. 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 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