INTRODUCTION TO BIOINFORMATICS
6 & 13 February 2008 (0930 - 1230 each day)
Venue: UCD Conway Institute Computer Lab, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 (location)

Application period is closed-UCD have notified us that this course is fully subscribed.
Please contact education@dmmc.ie if you are interested in attending a future course on this topic.

Coordinator: Dr Peadar Ó Gaora (UCD Conway Institute)

Session 1 (Wednesday 6 February 2008, 0930 - 1230) will cover:
• What is bioinformatics?
• The uses and misuses of bioinformatics.
• Sequence formats, databases and associated query tools.

Session 2 (Wednesday 13 February 2008, 0930 - 1230) will cover:
• Complete genome projects and resources.
• Accessing complete genome data.
• Homology searching and multiple sequence alignment.

On completion of the course the attendees should:
- Understand what bioinformatics is – and is not.
- Be familiar with sequence formats, databases and associated query tools.
- Be aware of complete genome projects and resources and how to access these resources.
- Be familiar with the application of homology searching and multiple sequence alignment.

INTRODUCTION TO PROTEOMICS
20 & 27 February 2008 (0930 - 1230 each day)
Venue: UCD Conway Institute Lecture Theatre, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 (location)

Application period is closed
Online application period: 14 January- 11 February 2008
The DMMC has only a few places available on this course.

Session 1 (Wednesday 20 February 2008, 0930 - 1230) will cover:

• Proteomics technologies. Prof Michael Dunn (UCD Conway Institute)
• Mass Spectrometry - instruments and methods. Dr. Giuliano Elia (UCD Conway Institute)
• Protein identification and bioinformatics. Andreas De Stefani (UCD Conway Institute)

Session 2 (Wednesday 27 February 2008, 0930 - 1230) will cover:

• Biomedical applications of proteomics. Prof Steve Pennington (UCD Conway Institute)
• Applied Proteomics: towards biomarker discovery. Dr Jules Westbrook (UCD Conway Institute)
• Generation and application of protein and antibody arrays. Prof Dolores Cahill (UCD Conway Institute)

On completion of the course the attendees should:
- Be familiar with the separation methods applied in proteomics, including 2D gel electrophoresis and chromatographic techniques.
- Understand the use of Mass Spectrometry instruments and methods in proteomic analysis.
- Be aware of the bioinformatic approaches and computer software used for proteomic data analysis.
- Know about the use of protein expression systems, including protein and antibody arrays, and their biomedical applications.

INTRODUCTION TO GENOMICS & TRANSCRIPTOMICS
5 & 12 March 2008 (0930 - 1230 each day)
Venue: UCD Conway Institute Lecture Theatre, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 (location)

Application period is closed
Online application period: 4 February - 25 February 2008
The DMMC has only a few places available on this course.

Session 1 (Wednesday 5 March 2008, 0930 - 1230) will cover:

Genomics – Dr Sean Ennis (UCD & Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin)
• General understanding of the principals of genomics.
• Constructing genome maps.
• Genome sequencing.
• Genomic variation.

Transcriptomics – Dr Jacintha O'Sullivan (UCD & St Vincent's University Hospital)
• General understanding of transcriptomics.
• Regulation of the transcriptome.
• Microarray technology (its advantages and disadvantages).

Session 2 (Wednesday 12 March 2008, 0930 - 1230) will cover:

Genomics – Dr Sean Ennis (UCD & Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin)
• Application of genome maps to trait/disease identification.
• Genetic/genomic disease diagnostics and personalised medicine.
• Emerging technological advances and bioinformatics in genomics.

Transcriptomics – Dr Jacintha O'Sullivan (UCD & St Vincent's University Hospital)
• Bioinformatics and software for microarray data analysis.
• Microarray data sharing in the life sciences.
• Transcriptome profiling in diagnostics and pharmacogenomics
   and its challenges for the future.

On completion of the course the attendees should:
For Genomics –
- Be familiar with the principals of genomics, the construction of genome maps, genome sequencing and genomic variation.
- Understand the application of genomics to trait and disease identification, diagnostics and personalised medicine.
- Be familiar with emerging technological advances and bioinformatics in genomics.
For Transcriptomics –
- Have a general understanding of transcriptomics, regulation of the transcriptome and the use of microarray technologies, including their advantages and disadvantages.
- Be familiar with the bioinformatic approaches and software used in microarray analysis and with microarray data sharing in the life sciences.
- Be aware of the application of transcriptome profiling in diagnostics and pharmacogenomics and the challenges it presents for the future.

ADVANCED IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES
19 & 26 March and 2 April 2008 (0930 - 1230 each day)
Venue: UCD Conway Institute Lecture Theatre, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 (location)

Application period is closed
Online application period: 18 February - 10 March 2008
The DMMC has only a few places available on this course.

Session 1 (Wednesday 19 March 2008, 0930 - 1230)
Basic Principles and Immuno Detection Microscopy. Dr Ann Hopkins (RCSI)
will cover:

• Basic principles of imaging methodologies and current technologies.
• Introduction to the specific detection of genes, proteins and organelles using
   immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy.

Session 2 (Wednesday 26 March 2008, 0930 - 1230)
In vitro and in vivo Imaging will cover:

• Focus on specific technologies – applications of confocal
   microscopy and electron microscopy to the imaging of in vitro
   model systems. Dr David Cotell (UCD, Electron Microscopy Laboratory)
• In vivo imaging of molecules, organs and systems. Applications
   of intravital microscopy and micoscopic optical imaging (light and
   fluorescence) and in vivo molecular imaging. Dr Orina Belton (UCD Conway Institute)
• Emerging technologies for whole organism imaging in two different
   model systems. Dr Orina Belton (UCD Conway Institute)

Session 3 (Wednesday 2 April 2008, 0930 - 1230)
will cover:

• Principles and applications of the major diagnostic imaging
   technologies used in medical practice, including CT, MRI and
   PET scanning. Dr Kathleen Curran (UCD School of Medicine & Medical Science)
• Brief history of imaging including significant advances in the past decade and the    importance of imaging technologies to research. Dr Nora Collins (School of Biomolecular    and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute)

On completion of the course the attendees should:
- Understand the innovation and advances in current imaging technologies and the relevance and importance of the basic principles of imaging to the most widely used technologies for in vitro, in vivo and diagnostic research.
- Appreciate the cell biological tools available for morphologic localisation of in vitro structures and understand how confocal and electron microscopy facilitates basic and translational research.
- Be familiar with the applications of in vivo imaging technologies to animal models of human disease and the limitations and advantages of currently used technologies.
- Have a comprehensive understanding of the most recent technologies for whole organism imaging.
- Be familiar with the principals and applications of the major diagnostic imaging technologies used in medical practice, including CT, MRI and PET scanning.