Intermediate Courses

Molecular Approaches to Neuroscience: Gene Expression and Cell Analysis
 

June 8-12, 2009

Schedule: The course will begin with breakfast on Monday at 9:00 a.m. This is an intensive course which features lectures and lab work at BTCI from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., expected to conclude by 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
 

1. UW-Madison students and special students admitted to the course will enroll through the University registration system and will remit tuition fees directly to the University.
2. For students who do not wish to receive university credits, a special rate of $900 is offered. (Documentation of current enrollment in an academic institution is required for confirmation of this special rate.)
3. For company employees, faculty and all others, the fee is $1,150.

Other Requirements:

• Eligibility: Graduate students, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry employees, postdoctoral candidates and principal investigators with an interest in neurosciences are encouraged to register. Admission to the course will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Course enrollment is limited to 20 participants. Please complete a registration form.
• Application: Students wishing to receive graduate credit are required to submit a letter of interest, clarifying eligibility and professional need for course content. This letter can be e-mailed or faxed to Dr. Karin Borgh (karin.borgh@btci.org; fax: 608-273-6992).
• Confirmation: Registration will be confirmed based on receipt of payment or guarantee of payment.

Goals & Objectives:

1. Describe the basic concepts and principles of molecular and cell analysis.
   
   • Nucleic Acid Isolation and Quantitation
   • Nucleic Acid Amplification
   • Cell Culture Principles and Techniques
   • Cell-Based Assay Principles and Techniques
   • Molecular Gene Product Analysis
     
2. Perform the following molecular methods and cell-based assays.
   
   • RNA Isolation and Gel Analysis
   • RT-PCR
   • Plasmid-T Vector Cloning
   • Basic Cell Culture Methods
   • Apoptosis Assays
   • Transfection & Reporter Assays
   • Western Blotting and ELISA
     
3. Identify the material resources required for performing the methods in your laboratory.

Technical Program:

The lecture portion of the course will cover the following topics:

• Principles of Nucleic Acid Analysis for Gene Expression
• Principles of RNA Isolation and Quantitation Techniques
• Principles of Nucleic Acid Amplification and RT-PCR
• Principles of Cloning PCR Products with Plasmid-T Vector
• Principles and Methods of Cell-based Analysis
• Principles and Practice of Cell Culture
• Principles of Apoptosis Assays
• Principles of Immunocytochemistry
• Western blot and ELISA analysis of proteins 

The extensive laboratory portion of the course provides participants the opportunity to perform key techniques introduced by the technical lectures. The lecture and laboratory portions of the course will be conducted by scientists from Promega Corporation.
 

Karin Borgh, Ph.D., Executive Director, BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute
Amy Prevost, M.S., Education Specialist, BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute
 

Michele Arduengo, Ph.D., Technical Writing
Natalie Betz, Ph.D., Scientific Applications Services
Randy Learish, Ph.D., Research & Development
Georgyi Los, Ph.D.,  Research & Development
Martha O'Brien, Ph.D.,  Research & Development
Amy Prevost, M.S., BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute
Tracy Worzella, B.S.,  Scientific Applications Services 
Chad Zimprich, B.S., Research & Development

• If you have registered for a workshop but cannot attend, you may transfer the registration to a colleague within your organization, or you may transfer to another scheduled workshop within 12 months of the original.  There is no charge for transfers.
• For cancellations made more than two weeks before the start of the workshop, you will be refunded the tuition fee minus a 5% fee.
• For cancellations made within the two weeks prior to the workshop start date, half the tuition will be refunded.
• No refunds will be made for non-attendance or withdrawals after the start of each workshop.

Note: BTCI may cancel or postpone any workshop due to unforeseen circumstances. If this occurs, we will provide full tuition reimbursement.  We are not responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses including imposed penalties by airlines, hotels, or travel agents.
 

For course content, contact: Amy Prevost, Education Specialist
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI)
608-274-4330 x2466
e-mail: amy.prevost@btci.org

For more information regarding registration, contact: Dr. Karin Borgh, Executive Director
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI)
608-277-2508
e-mail: karin.borgh@btci.org

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