Course Description -
Molecular biology pertains to the study of living systems at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels, and how these molecules can be modified and harnessed for practical applications. Knowledge of the natural function of these molecules in the cell provides a context appropriate for further advancement in the rapidly expanding areas of functional genomics, cell biology, biotechnology, microbiology, diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine. This course, intended for the non-specialist, will focus on selected aspects of biotechnology in both basic- and applied research. In particular, the structural and functional relationships of molecular biology techniques to the biotech and pharmaceutical industries will be explained. Modern day molecular biology innovations and success stories will be presented and examples of molecular applications will be highlighted. At the end of the molecular biologist training course, the participant will be conversant with respect to standard terminology in the field and will have an appreciation for the opportunities that exist within this discipline.
Who Should Attend
This is a three-day course for those interested in learning both fundamental and advanced-level molecular biology techniques. Molecular biology methods are used extensively in modern day drug discovery, research and development, and diagnostics. This molecular biologist training course is intended for personnel with some scientific background who are seeking basic and advanced-level molecular biology training and who wish to become conversant within the discipline. This informative course is attractive to personnel involved with, or participating in, molecular biology-related and biotechnological research, supervision, scale-up or manufacturing, other technical operations, or basic/applied research.
Course Agenda
First Day
Principles of Molecular Biology Techniques
- Review of basic and advanced information on DNA, RNA, and proteins. Potential applications of molecular biology techniques in drug and biomarker discovery will be introduced and revisited throughout the course
DNA Techniques
- Isolation and purification of DNA samples from different cell types and tissues, quantification procedures, restriction digestion and analysis, ligation of DNA to create recombinant molecules and “designer genes”
- Southern Blotting: agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA transfer techniques, isotopic and nonisotopic probe labeling methods, hybridization, x-film exposure, interpretation of results
RNA Techniques
- Isolation, purification and characterization of RNA from cells and tissues, quantification procedures, and the control of ribonuclease
- Northern Blotting: denaturing gel electrophoresis, RNA transfer techniques, isotopic and nonisotopic probe labeling methods, hybridization, x-film exposure, interpretation of results.
- Nuclease Protection Assays (S1 Assay and RNase Protection Assays)
In Situ Hybridization
- Chromosome in situ hybridization diagnostics
- Whole tissue in situ hybridization
Applications of Biotechnology: A Few Success Stories
- Biosimilars
- Aptamers
- Forensics and DNA fingerprinting
- Disease diagnosis
- Gene Therapy
- Agricultural biotechnology
Second Day
Proteomics Technologies
- Overview of proteomics techniques
- Relationship to genomics and transcriptomics
- Production and purification of recombinant proteins
- Monoclonal antibodies
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Real-Time PCR platforms (TaqMan Assay, SYBR Green Assay, and others)
- End-point PCR
- Digital PCR
- Primer design, TA cloning, TOPO Cloning, Long-range PCR, limiting PCR carryover contamination
- Alternative amplification platforms
DNA Sequencing
- Next generation sequencing
- Massively parallel sequencing
- 454 sequencing
- Whole transcriptome sequencing
- Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) applications in drug discovery
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)
- Identification and characterization techniques
- SNPs and drug discovery
Bioinformatics
- Overview of bioinformatics methods, BLAST searches, standard tools and data bases, and essential vocabulary
Development of molecular biomarkers
- DNA, RNA, and protein biomarkers
- Physiological biomarkers
- miRNA as biomarkers
- Strategies for biomarker identification
Third Day
RT-PCR
- cDNA synthesis overview
- Standard gene cloning methods
- cDNA library construction
High Throughput Screening Methods
- Microarrays and Gene Chips
- Design and applications of gene chip technology
- Applications in drug discovery and development
Global Analysis of Gene Expression
- Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH)
- Acquisition of up-and down-regulated genes
RNA Interference (RNAi)
- Fundamentals of RNAi and siRNA techniques and applications in modern day drug discovery
- miRNA as molecular biomarkers
Stem Cells
- Terminology
- Current state of the art
- Future potential
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you will have gained an understanding of techniques that are currently being utilized in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. You will be familiar with concepts pertaining to basic molecular biology principles and techniques for understanding various contemporary areas of research and their applications. You will have acquired the facility for communication with colleagues and associates in various areas of molecular biology.
