The analysis of DNA polymorphisms, in particular Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), is becoming a standard research approach to understand causes of disease, in particular the so-called “complex” diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, etc.

Aim
The aim of this course is to give a broad introduction in SNP techniques and applications.

Audience
The course is primarily organized for PhD students and postdocs of the Erasmus Postgraduate School Molecular Medicine, Nihes and MGC. Other participants, e.g. students and technicians from other universities working in this field, are also welcome.

Recommended reading & 'Genetics for Dummies'
It is recommended for the participants to have basic knowledge of the central molecular biological dogma's (such as DNA and gene structure, DNA encodes RNA encodes protein, etc.) and of basic genetic principles. These can be found in any decent textbook of human molecular biology and genetics, such as "Molecular Biology of the Cell" (4th ed.; editors: Alberts et al.; published by Garland Sciences) and "Human Molecular Genetics" (3rd ed.; editors Strachan & Read; published by Garland Sciences).

Those who have not are advised to follow the course ’Genetics for Dummies’ that is organised the first time on September 30^st and October 1^st, 2010 by MolMed. Subscription is open now on this webssite.

Papers
To prepare for this course, a series of basic papers is published on our website (see above). At the start of the course a comprehensive reader will be issued.

Program
The course will deal with several topics:

• Study design; Bio Informatics for SNP’s and hands-on training
• Genotyping techniques and DNA management
• Data analysis; population identification and forensics
• HapMap; Bio Informatics for SNP’s and GWA, hands-on training
• Applications in diseases; genetic risk factors and meta-analysis

There are a few learning-by-doing sessions on the bio informatic applications in this field organised. There are 60 PC's available, some participants may have to share one.

Keynote lectures
During the course, several keynote lectures will be given by well known researchers from the UK, Greece and the USA. These lectures will be widely announced.

Maximum # participants: 75.

Presentations by participants
All participants will be requested to send a short presentation or description of their own research and field of interest in advance to the course organisation (email to: molmed@erasmusmc.nl). In this way we get to now your research topics, to better prepare the topics of the course. A selection of the candidates will be asked to present their own research topics on Monday.

Registration fees
The attendance fee is € 600,00. Certain discounts are allowed. See the full program for all details.