Leading laboratory training, specialized in advanced PCR techniques and molecular diagnostics
Our course program spans the entire workflow, from sample preparation and extraction to data analysis and biostatistics
Our hands-on courses provide a comprehensive foundation for scientists to advance their knowledge of PCR techniques.
Most of our courses comprise theoretical and practical curricula where participants perform hands-on activities under the experienced supervision of an instructor.
Many courses are available in flexible formats, including full-week offerings and single-day modules. Our courses are suitable for laboratory researchers and technicians, as well as post-graduate students.
We also offer custom courses for individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of specific applications.
Hands-on qPCR
26 Sep 2022—28 Sep 2022
Göteborg, SE
Beginners to Medium experienced qPCR users
Basic Molecular biology or similar
The basic real-time qPCR course. You will acquire a comprehensive overview of the possibilities with real-time PCR, how to use it and how to analyze the results.
Day 1
Introduction to PCR and qPCR
- How does qPCR work?
- Different detection chemistries, dyes or probes?
- Different applications for qPCR.
qPCR data evaluation
- How does qPCR software process the data.
- How to evaluate curves and set threshold.
Primer and probe design
- How to do proper primer design.
- How to avoid primer dimer formation.
- Other important considerations for primer design.
- How to design hydrolysis probes.
- Practical exercises in primer design.
Optimization of qPCR protocols
- Which factors affect the PCR?
- Which factors can be optimized?
Hands-on lab running qPCR analyzing unknown samples with standard curve.
Day 2
Normalization
- Different ways to normalize.
- How to find stable reference genes.
Basic quantification theory
- Quantification methods and equations.
- How to do interplate calibration.
Absolute quantification strategies
- How to do absolute quantification.
- What is a suitable standard?
Validation of assays
- How to determine LOD and LOQ.
- Precision estimation.
- Which controls should be used?
Quantification calculation examples
- Practical examples with relative quantification calculations.
- Calculations with own generated qPCR data.
Hands-on lab running qPCR and calculating relative quantities with different strategies.
Day 3
Sample preparation and isolation
- What to consider during the sampling process.
- How can nucleic acids be extracted?
- How do we quality control the nucleic acids?
Reverse transcription, RT
- Which priming strategies can be used?
- Efficiency and reproducibility of reverse transcription.
The MIQE guidelines
- Why do we need the MIQE guidelines?
- Which information should be included in publications?
Group discussion
- You are welcome to bring your own questions.
Hands-on lab running RT and qPCR investigating what happens if we have inhibitory samples and how a spike can be used to detect it.
Digital PCR -Application and Analysis
27 – 28 October 2022
Göteborg, SE
Beginners to Medium experienced digital PCR users
Basic Molecular biology or similar
This course gives an overview of digital PCR and its applications. The course consists of theoretical parts, which will focus on the different applications where digital PCR is advantageous, different instruments available and how the analysis is performed. The course will also contain practical parts where the participants will run digital PCR experiments with following analysis.
Introduction to digital PCR:
- What is digital PCR?
- How does it work?
- When is digital PCR useful?
Applications:
- How to use digital PCR for absolute quantification.
- How is Copy Number Variation, CNV, analysis performed?
- The advantage of digital PCR for rare mutation detection.
- How to do linkage analysis with digital PCR.
- How to use digital PCR for analysis of Next generation sequencing libraries.
- Gene expression analysis with digital PCR.
Basic statistics for digital PCR analysis:
- What is Poisson distribution?
- What is the error in our measurement?
- What is it that affects the precision?
- What is it that affects the accuracy?
- Which controls are needed?
Instrumentation:
- Which instruments are available?
- How do they work?
- Which are the differences?
The digital PCR reaction:
- What to think about when designing assays for digital PCR.
- Optimization of digital PCR.
- Trouble shooting
The digital MIQE guidelines:
- What is specific in the digital MIQE guidelines?
- Which information is important from a digital PCR experiment?
Practical experiments using digital PCR instruments.
MicroRNA Analysis
7—8 November 2022
Göteborg, SE
Researchers interested in analyzing microRNA.
Basic knowledge about microRNA and molecular analyses.
This course introduces miRNA and its variant forms. Methods to extract and purify microRNA and prepare it for analysis, including quality control. Methods for microRNA expression analysis are presented and compared, to learn how to too choose the best method for each study. Analysis of microRNA data is also discussed, including challenging normalization.
Day 1
- MicroRNA background including biogenesis and function
- MicroRNA extraction – sampling, miRNA stability, extraction kit comparison
- Quality Control of miRNA
- MicroRNA and liquid biopsies – challenges of miRNA analysis in biofluids
- Hands-on lab testing of quality and quantity of miRNA
Day 2
- MicroRNA quantification with microarray, nanoString, NGS and RT -qPCR methods
- Comparison of miRNA quantification methods
- Experimental design and data analysis
- RT-qPCR normalization of miRNA data
- Introduction to NGS data analysis
- Hands-on lab of miRNA RT-qPCR analysis including data analysis in Genex
All our courses can be combined to perfectly fit your needs
We can design and deliver custom courses specifically tailored to our customers.
- Bioanalysis for gene therapies
- Bioanalysis for cell therapies
- Validation of quantitative PCR assays for successful gene therapy submission to health authorities
- Sample preparation and quality control of nucleic acids
- Multiplex PCR
- Single cell analysis
- Genotyping with PCR
- NGS Data analysis
- Quality control and new guidelines in molecular analyses and biobanking
- Molecular microbiology: microorganism identification and typing
- Experimental design and statistical data analysis for qPCR – Advanced course
Affordable pricing options are available for both private and public sector clients. Certain course modules can be combined.
Fees include course material, lunch, snacks and coffee, but do not include accommodation.
The hotels listed below are centrally located, four-star hotels less than a 15-minute walk from our facilities. Each offers a breakfast buffet and is easily accessible by public transportation or airport shuttle.
- Gothia Towers
- Scandic Opalen
- Quality Hotel Panorama
More affordable options are located a further away:
- The Gothenburg Hostel
- Spoton Hotel
“Everyone doing PCR’s should definitely attend this course.“
“The travel all the way from the Philippines was all worth it. The course was very comprehensive. I really learned a lot and realized many insights regarding the use of qPCR in my research. All instructors were very knowledgeable and very accommodating with questions.”
“The travel all the way from the Philippines was all worth it. The course was very comprehensive. I really learned a lot and realized many insights regarding the use of qPCR in my research. All instructors were very knowledgeable and very accommodating with questions.”
“The course was very well structured and organized and packed with helpful and intriguing information. I learned a lot and will be able to use it in my work.”
“The course is great! I am impressed by your knowledge and professionalism. The course presents the most current information in the area of miRNAs. I liked all parts of the course, because of the examples that you described very carefully. You perfectly summarized the knowledge regarding all aspects of miRNA analysis. I really love it.”
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We are grateful to our course sponsors
