Training School for real-time PCR in phytosanitary
phytopathology diagnostics and research
Ljubljana, Slovenia, 29.11 - 2.12.2010
4-day training course continues the COST873 series in Early Stage Research education and
building links between industry and phytosanitary scientists. The course will cover real-time
PCR and provide comprehensive training in the qPCR theory, practical experiment set-up,
sample processing tips&tricks, in silico primer design, wet-lab workflow, analysis and
interpretation of real-time PCR results and quality control and validation of diagnostic
methods under ISO standards which will also include determination of limit of detection and
cut-off values for qPCR-based methods. Potential of real-time PCR application in
phytopathology and phytosanitary diagnostics and research will be showcased with hands-on
examples of plant pathogen detection and real-time PCR quantification analysis.
Training will be provided by the experts with years of hands-on experience in the
development and use of real-time PCR in the field of plant pathology. Invited lecturer Dr.
Neil Boonham, the team leader at Fera (United Kingdom) and world known specialist for
development of new molecular tools in microbiology (qPCR, microarrays, LAMP, new
generation sequencing), will share his knowledge and experience about new approaches in
plant pathogens diagnostics.
This course is organised in cooperation with COST873 partner National Institute of Biology,
Slovenia and industry partner BioSistemika Ltd.
Participation is limited to 5 COST873 trainees that will receive a fixed scholarship to cover
their travel, accommodation and meals. Meals will be charged on the spot at the registration
desk and it will be 100EUR/person. There is no additional fee for the workshop. Additional
trainees can register, however, without COST873 scholarship and with an additional
registration fee.
Applications of interest should be sent directly to Brion Duffy (duffy@acw.admin.ch) and
copied to the COST organiser (info@biosistemika.com) no later than 21.11.2010. Please
provide name, ESR status (e.g. PhD student), country and correct e-mail. BioSistemika will
help you with organising your trip and local accommodation.
Preliminary Workshop programme:
Tuesday, November 29th (3 pm – 7 pm):
13:30 – 15:00 Arrival & registration & refreshments
15:00
Introduction, Real-time PCR theory and applications, Experiment workflow,
sample workflow (practical) and laboratory workflow (practical)
19:30
Welcome dinner
Wednesday, November 30th (9 am – 06 pm):
8:30
Hotel pick-up
9:00
Design and validation of qPCR assays under the ISO and EPPO standards,
experiment setup (practical), Setup of qPCR experiment in the lab (practical), instrument
setup (practical), Introduction to data analysis
18:00
NIB pickup
Thursday, December 1st (9 am – 6 pm)
8:30
Hotel pick-up
9:00
How to determine LOD and CUT OFF values, analysing the diagnostic data &
interpretation (practical), Amplification efficiency, Relative and absolute quantification
strategies, normalization, MIQE guidelines, Data analysis and interpretation of real
quantification data (practical)
18:00
NIB pickup
Friday, December 2nd (9 am - 1 pm)
8:30
Hotel pick-up
9:00
Guest lecturer, Real-time PCR beyond detection, Troubleshooting, wrap-up
and discussion
13:00
Lunch & Departure & NIB pickup
Detailed workshop programme will be available by mid November. – please check online for
updates.