International Advanced Course
Epigenesis & Epigenetics
- Physiological consequences of perinatal nutritional programming –
21-23 May 2014, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Organized by the graduate schools VLAG (Food Technology, Agrobiotechnology, Nutrition and
Health Sciences) and WIAS (Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences),
Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Background and aim
Nutritional conditions in early life may, through
epigenetic and epigenesist processes, have
profound effects on physiological functioning
and health in later life.
This course aims to provide a detailed scientific
background on the mechanisms that may underlie
these early-life effects, both at the physiological
and gene expression level. The program combines
knowledge on perinatal programming by
nutritional factors in humans, laboratory and farm
animals.
Target group
The course is aimed at postgraduates (MSc, PhD)
with a background in animal, veterinary,
biological, health, or food sciences and open for
participants from both industry and
universities/research centers. Participants are
challenged to actively contribute to discussions,
within the programme two sessions are devoted to
this (6 short oral presentations on day 1 and 10
three-minute pitches on day 2).
Organization
Prof. Bas Kemp, Adaptation Physiology,
Wageningen University (WU)
Dr Wilma Steegenga, Human Nutrition, WU
Prof. Bas Zwaan, Genetics, WU
Other faculty
Prof. Irun. R. Cohen, The Weitzmann Institute
of Science, IL
Prof. Kevin Sinclair, Univ. of Nottingham, UK
Prof. Harry McArdle, Univ. of Aberdeen, UK
Participants who wish to apply for a short oral
presentation or a pitch should send an abstract
to Dr. Wilma Steegenga before May 1st.
Course design
The course consists of a series of lectures
providing the latest scientific knowledge on the
different subjects. Furthermore, this knowledge
will be discussed in several workshops with
emphasis on application of the theory.
Programme topics
The following topics will be addressed:
*Early life nutrition ( prenatal programming,
nutrition during pregnancy)
*Immune programming (imprinting, effects of the
microbioom)
*Epigenetics (DNA methylation, histone
modifications, state of the art techniques)
*Phenotypic plasticity (metabolic flexibility,
dietary interventions, in humans and models
species)
Dr Bas Heijmans & Dr Elmar Tobi, Leiden UMC,
NL
Dr Fred van Leeuwen, Netherlands Cancer
Institute, NL
Prof. Edith Feskens & Dr Liesbeth Bolhuis,
Dr Aart Lammers, WU, NL
Dr Tobias Uller, University of Oxford, UK
Dr Bert van de Heijning, Danone Research, NL
Course details
Duration/Language
The course is scheduled for 21 – 23 May 2014 and
conducted in English.
Study load
The study load of this course is 0.8 ECTS credit
Venue/accommodation
The course venue is Conference Centre Hof van
Wageningen. The town of Wageningen is 5 km
from Ede-Wageningen railway station, with
transport options being taxi or bus. EdeWageningen railway station is about one and a
half hours from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. For
train schedules visit: www.ns.nl.
A number of hotel rooms have been blocked at the
conference centre “Hof van Wageningen”, but
only until April 15th, 2014. Accommodation costs
are € 80 - 98.50 (single room/twin room; incl.
breakfast, excl. Tax) per night. See
www.hofvanwageningen.nl. Participants have to
book their own hotel room by sending an e-mail
to: info@hofvanwageningen.nl. Please mention
booking code EPI-14.
Registration/Information
You can register on-line at:
http://www.vlaggraduateschool.nl/courses/epigen.htm
The final registration date is April 15th, 2014.
Applicants will be informed of acceptance of their
registration before April 20th, 2014. They will
then receive instructions for payment and further
course details.
Cancellations may be made free of charge until
April 20th, 2014. After this date the charge will be
25 % of the course fee already paid or due.
Substitutions for participants may be made until
the start of the course.
Contact information
Information concerning the course contents can be
obtained from Dr. Wilma Steegenga,
: wilma.steegenga@wur.nl,
: 0031 317 485789
For questions about your registration please
contact Mrs. Ingeborg van Leeuwen-Bol,
: ingeborg.vanleeuwen-bol@wur.nl
Fee
The course fee (includes materials, coffee/tea
during breaks, lunches and the course dinner
(Wednesday) but does not cover accommodation)
depends on the participant’s affiliation:
•
•
•
•
VLAG/WIAS PhD’s
PhD students
University staff/Non-Profit
Industry/For-Profit
€ 185,€ 375,€ 750,€1300,-
REGISTRATION
http://www.vlaggraduateschool.nl/courses/epi-gen.htm
before April 15th, 2014
INFORMATION
ingeborg.vanleeuwen-bol@wur.nl