Drosophila Genetics and Genomics

The fruitfly Drosophila is a popular and extensively used model
organism at the cutting edge of genetic research, with exciting new
technologies continuing to change the way Drosophila research is
conducted. An enormous amount of genetic knowledge has been gained about
this small but complex organism, enabling advances in the understanding
of development and disease.

This popular, lecture- and discussion-based course, established over 20
years ago, will provide up-to-date summaries for a range of classical and
contemporary, from basic to advanced, topics and techniques in
Drosophila genetics and genomics. The course will provide
participants with a solid knowledgebase when starting or developing
research projects using Drosophila as a model organism.

The course is ideally aimed at faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and
graduate students who are currently working in a fly lab or those who
have completed a PhD in another field and are moving into
Drosophila for their postdoctoral studies. Participants may also
be considered from other scientific backgrounds.

Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will be able
to:

• Describe the latest developments in Drosophila genetics.
• Appraise the latest cutting edge techniques used in Drosophila research.
• Apply CRISPR/Cas9 and other gene replacement or disruption techniques to their own research.
• Evaluate the various techniques used in advanced genetic analysis.
• Design and develop a Drosophila research project.

Please note: To optimise the impact of the course, attendance is limited
to 24 participants. Places will be awarded on merit.

Feedback from the 2014 course
‘I would suggest this course to anyone starting out in Drosophila or
even some already familiar with Drosophila. I think the breadth of
subject matter and discussions of new techniques and methodologies are
useful for anyone at any point in their Drosophila career’.

‘It was a great week and an amazing opportunity for young
scientists’.

The course is lecture/discussion based and highly interactive, providing
a framework for close scientific and social interactions, and creating an
exceptional learning environment. The programme will cover basic and
advanced topics in Drosophila genetics and genomics taught by Dr
Scott Hawley and Dr Casey Bergman, complemented by a panel of
distinguished, international guest speakers.

Tutors and speakers will be available throughout the course, both in
formal lectures and informal settings, and will report on the latest work
from their own laboratories. Participants will have the unique
opportunity to present their own research, as a short talk, in evening
seminars where feedback will be given.

Course topics

• Introduction to Drosophila
• Advanced genetic analysis
• Genomics
• Genetic screens and mosaic analysis
• Genome editing
• Recombineering and imaging
• RNAi and proteomics
• Gene regulation and development
• Immunology
• Neurogenetics
• Evolutionary genetics
• Ecological genetics

Course instructors
Casey Bergman University of Manchester, UK
R. Scott Hawley Stowers Institute, USA

Guest speakers
Daniel Barbash Cornell University, USA
Eileen Furlong European Molecular Biology Laboratory,
Germany
Ruth Lehmann New York University School of Medicine, USA

Teri Markow University of California, San Diego, USA
Kate O’Connor-Giles University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

Norbert Perrimon Harvard Medical School, USA
Carlos Ribeiro Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown,
Portugal
Todd Schlenke Reed College, USA
Pavel Tomancak Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell
Biology and Genetics, Germany

Event organiser
Emily Rees Wellcome Genome Campus, UK

Cost
The workshop is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus
Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences Programme. This is a
residential workshop and there is a fee of £750 towards board and lodging
for non-commercial applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

Accommodation (at The Wellcome Genome Campus Conference Centre, Hinxton,
Cambridge, for the nights of  3-10 July 2016), catering and tutoring
are included in the registration fee. Payment will be requested following
confirmation of acceptance on the course.

Applications

Places on this course are limited to 24 students and will be awarded on
merit. The course is ideally aimed at faculty, postdoctoral researchers,
and graduate students who are currently working in a fly lab or those who
have completed a PhD in another field and are moving into
Drosophila for their postdoctoral studies. Participants may also
be considered from other scientific backgrounds. The selection process
will take place in April 2016.

The following will need to be provided:

• CV and justification for attendance.
• A list of relevant publications.
• An outline of current research.
• Supervisor’s details: your supervisor will then receive an e-mail requesting a supporting statement to complete your application.

Please note: Applications cannot be considered without a
supervisor’s supporting statement.

Deadline: Closed

A limited number of bursaries are available for PhD students to attend
this course.

The following documents will need to be provided:

• CV
• Covering letter
• Letter from supervisor

To apply, please contact the event organiser.

Bursary deadline: Closed