DMMC COURSES & WORKSHOPS

POPULATION GENETICS & SNP ANALYSIS
28 - 29 June 2006
Lecture Sessions: 1330-1745 on Wed, 1400-1745 on Thu
Practical Workshop: 0900-1300 on Thu
Venue: Institute of Molecular Medicine, TCD, St James's Hospital (location)

Online application is closed
Online application period: 29 May - 19 Jun 2006

The analysis of genetic determinants in human disease, particularly in multifactorial conditions such as cardiovascular disease, has advanced markedly in recent years due to the availability of high-density maps of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers, new insights into human genome structure from the International HapMap Project and novel analytical methods. This course, running over one and a half days, aims to introduce researchers to key strategic considerations in designing and performing gene-mapping studies using SNP markers and to provide some ‘hands-on’ experience of data analysis through a practical workshop. Please note: the practical workshop is limited to 25 participants.

Day 1 will focus on the nature and dynamics of SNP markers in populations, associations between markers due to the haplotype ‘block’ structure of the human genome and public domain resources for gene-mapping studies. The half-day will conclude with a plenary lecture given by Prof Lynn Jorde (Molecular Biology Program, University of Utah, USA).

Day 2 will begin with a ‘hands-on’ practical workshop (0900–1300) that examines resources for selecting SNPs, issues around study design & power and data management, and will give time for some basic analyses of SNP data. The day will continue with a series of talks on key aspects of study design and the effect of selection, and will conclude with a plenary lecture given by Prof Bob Millikan (North Carolina Center for Genomics and Public Health, University of North Carolina, USA).

Follow the links below to read an abstract of each lecture. Abstracts appear as soon as we receive them.

Wed 28 Jun; 1330-1745 LECTURE SESSION
1330 Introduction to SNPs
         Prof David Croke (RCSI)  abstract
1400 Overview of resources Dr Ross McManus (TCD)
1430 Introduction to study design
         Prof Denis Shields (UCD)
1500 Applying the tools of modern genomics:
         progress in schizophrenia research
         Dr Aiden Corvin (TCD)
1540 Coffee/Tea
1610 Structure & Selection in the Irish Population
         Dr Dan Bradley (TCD)
1700 Plenary Lecture I
         Evolution, linkage disequilibrium, and the
         quest for complex disease genes
         Prof Lynn Jorde (Professor of Human Genetics,
         University of Utah, USA)  abstract

Thu 29 Jun; 0900-1300 PRACTICAL WORKSHOP

Topics to be covered include:

Generating haplotypes
Tagging SNPs
Association analysis
Data management
Basic statistical analysis

Thu 29 Jun; 1400-1745 LECTURE SESSION
1400 Study design & sample size
         Prof Denis Shields (UCD)
1440 Whole genome association study design
         Prof Paul McKeigue (UCD)
1540 Tea/Coffee
1610 Applications of human population genomics:
         mapping complex disease genes
         Prof Mark Shriver (Associate Professor of Biological
         Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, USA)
          abstract
1650 Plenary Lecture II
         Genetic and molecular epidemiology of breast
         cancer: promise and pitfalls of new omics
         approaches Prof Bob Millikan (North Carolina
         Center for Genomics and Public Health, University
         of North Carolina, USA)  abstract

Course Coordinators
Prof David Croke (Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, RCSI)
Dr Ross McManus (Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's Hospital, TCD)
Prof Denis Shields (UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research)

Course Instructors
Dr Dan Bradley (Smurfit Institute of Genetics, TCD)
Dr Aiden Corvin (Department of Psychiatry & Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's Hospital, TCD)
Prof Paul McKeigue (UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research)
Dr Derek Morris (Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's Hospital, TCD)
Dr Tony Ryan (Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's Hospital, TCD)

Course Sponsor