Second Research Training Workshop on Understanding Human Disease and Improving Human Health Using Genomics-Driven Approaches

Transcription

1 Second Research Training Workshop on Understanding Human Disease and Improving Human Health Using Genomics-Driven Approaches At Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University 09 May to 13 May 2016 Supported by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India

2 The Second Basic Workshop entitled Understanding Human Disease and Improving Human Health using Genomics-Driven Approaches, supported by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, was held at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Assam during May 9-13, The Principal Coordinator and the Co-Coordinator of this project and the Workshop Professor Sharmila Sengupta and Dr. Arindam Maitra from the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani respectively and the Local Coordinator of this Workshop at Tezpur University, Professor Shashi Baruah, were the Workshop Directors. The participants were graduate students, post-doctoral scientists and clinicians engaged in areas of disease biology or human genetics in NER organizations. The Workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Pawan Sharma, Chief Consultant, NERBPMC, DBT, Govt. of India. Both classroom lectures and hands on training on the experimental and computational methods were imparted to the participants covering the basics and some advanced topics by the Workshop Faculty comprising of Faculty Members, Technical Staff and senior students of NIBMG and MBBT, Tezpur University. The topics covered through classroom teaching included the following: Basics Basics of human genetics, Structure of the human genome, Conducting gene-disease association studies: study designs, sample and epidemiological data collections following Ethical Guidelines, sample storage, DNA isolation, analyzing the DNA samples using various PCR based techniques and Sanger sequencing, statistical analysis of genetic data and interpreting the findings, Relevance of epigenetic modulations, such as CpG methylations of the human genome, in human diseases, Analysis of the human methylome through bisulphite modification followed by PCR and sequencing and other available methods. Advanced Introduction to Genotyping Using Different Platforms, - Theoretical basis of Real Time PCR and Gene expression analysis by Taqman assay, Mining genomic databases, Introduction to Next Generation Sequencing approach. Extensive hands on training was provided in the wet and dry labs on the following: Isolation of DNA and RNA from blood samples and cells, PCR amplification of human genomic loci, 16s-rRNA gene for microbiome analysis and detection of HPV-16, Sanger sequencing of PCR products, Analysis of sequence data, Analysis of gene expression and copy number variation by Real Time PCR, Genotyping of human DNA samples by TaqMan Assay.

3 Apart from the coursework, some special lectures were also organized, as mentioned below: Keynote Address (via Skype) : Molecular Dissection of Diseases & Ethical Conduct of Research Speaker: Professor Partha P. Majumder, Director, NIBMG. Special Lecture I Examples of Study on Human Disease Genomics Speaker: Professor Shashi Baruah, MBBT, Tezpur University Special Lecture II From Genomic Discoveries to Understanding Disease Biology Speaker: Dr. Sanghamitra Sengupta, Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta During the Workshop, constant and intense interactions between the participants and trainers were encouraged. At the beginning of each day, Workshop participants took turns to present a summary of their work they are currently doing and their future plans. A buffet Workshop Dinner was organized on the evening of 9 th May to facilitate interactions between participants, trainers, organizers and faculty of MBBT, Tezpur University. Each participant was evaluated at the end of the Workshop through an evaluation form. Feedbacks on the Workshop and suggestions for improvement were collected from participants through anonymized feedback forms and also by requesting them to provide their personal views during the Valedictory Session. The five day long Workshop ended on May 13, 2016 with a Valedictory Session in which the Workshop Directors handed over the Participation Certificates to the participants. Excerpts from Feedback from Participants..quality of teaching was very good and informative..all the topics covered were of utmost importance one could not have asked for anything better...will help in designing our experiments in a better way and have a better understanding of results.. very useful..i have benefitted a lot. we understood many things in genetics..better than most of the workshops....very high quality of teaching 5 days are not enough..got a chance to be trained by extremely knowledgeable people everything was well planned and well organized

4 ..one of the best workshops I have ever attended I had a real great time....very good idea to keep conducting it every year in different cities of NE. PHOTO GALLERY

5 Inauguration of Workshop by Dr. Pawan Sharma Interactions with Professor Mihir K. Chowdhury, Hon ble Vice Chancellor, Tezpur University Self-introduction of Participants Keynote address and interactions with Participants by Professor Partha Pratim Majumder via Skype

6 Talks by Professor Sharmila Sengupta, Principal Coordinator & Workshop Director Talks by Dr. Arindam Maitra, Co-Coordinator & Workshop Director Special lecture by Professor Shashi Baruah, Local Coordinator and Workshop Director

7 Talks by Dr. Analabha Basu. Dr. Samsiddhi Bhattacharjee and Dr. Nidhan K. Biswas, Faculty, NIBMG Talks by Dr. S. P. G. Ponnam, Dr. S. K. Ray and Dr. M. V. Satish Kumar, Faculty of MBBT, Tezpur University Special lecture by Dr. Sanghamitra Sengupta, University of Calcutta

8 Hands on experimental lab sessions being conducted by Dr. Subrata Patra and Mr. Sumanta Sarkar, NIBMG Reviewing Real Time PCR data obtained during the Workshop Workshop during a Tea Break Trainers from MBBT, Tezpur University Participants providing their feedback on the Workshop

9 Valedictory Session Participants interacting in Guest House at day s end Farewell