Free Faculty Workshop 2012
Genomics in Education
Incorporate bioinformatics and DNA barcoding into your teaching
University of Wisconsin - Madison
August 22-23, 2012
This free 2-day workshop helps college faculty integrate genome analysis into courses and student research
projects. The workshop features resources produced by the iPlant Collaborative, a NSF-funded project to develop
a computer infrastructure for plant research (www.iplantcollaborative.org). Instruction, workshop materials,
lunches, and a $100 stipend are provided by NSF grant funding.
Genomics in Education focuses on DNA Subway
(dnasubway.iplantcollaborative.org), an easy-to-use interface
that introduces students to bioinformatics analysis and
provides an entry point to other research-grade tools. The Red
Line assembles mathematical and biological evidence for gene
structure and function. The Yellow Line identifies related genes
in sequenced genomes. The Blue Line integrates DNA barcode
information from wet lab experiments to identify organisms
and construct phylogenetic trees.
Day 1: The workshop beings with an introduction to key
concepts and challenges of modern genomics, and bioinformatics methods for predicting and annotating genes.
Red Line: Use gene predictions and biological evidence to create gene models. Blue Line: Learn about DNA
barcoding, and extract DNA from plant samples.
Day 2: Red Line: Prospect for genes and assemble gene models in
up to 150 kilobases of raw DNA sequence. Compare gene models
with community annotations, and learn about resources available
for student annotation projects. Yellow Line: Identify gene and
transposon families in different plant genomes. Blue Line: Amplify
the barcode region of the chloroplast genome by PCR and send it
out for DNA sequencing. (Participant barcode results are available
for analysis in 48 hours).
Key concepts embodied by the lab and bioinformatics work include:
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DNA sequence is information.
Gene annotation adds meaning to DNA sequence.
A genome is more than protein coding genes.
Genomes are complex and dynamic.
The concept of a gene and a species continue to evolve.
DNA barcoding bridges molecular genetics, evolution, and conservation biology
Travel Awards
We have a travel funds available for individuals who are US citizens/permanent residents; participants from groups
under-represented in the life-sciences or who impact these groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Register for this workshop now at http://www.iplantcollaborative.org/madisonGinE