Genomics for Dermatology

This discussion-based course is designed to provide an introduction to human genetics and the genomic approaches used currently to understand disease mechanisms for those working in dermatology and skin biology.

The course will provide an understanding of contemporary genomics as applied to skin genetics in health and disease. This year’s programme will highlight genomic technologies, including gene editing and single-cell transcriptomic analysis, as well as focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of skin diseases. In addition, participants will gain knowledge of therapeutic strategies in monogenic skin diseases and epigenetics. There will also be an emphasis on methods and approaches required to analyse large genetic data sets.

This course is aimed at clinical and academic dermatologists and skin biology researchers, including those in training such as PhD or MD students. Applications from clinical lecturers, specialist trainees and consultants are welcome.

This course has been awarded 13 CPD credits by the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom.

After attending the 2022 course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the basic principles of genetic variation, gene expression and regulation
• Perform a basic variant interpretation process using the publicly available data
• Recognise epigenetic mechanisms and some of their roles in skin biology
• Explain how phenotypes arise from genotypes in selected skin diseases
• Learn and evaluate how living organisms inform understanding of skin disease and repair
• Describe innovations in sequencing and spatial transcriptomics
• Recognise the impact of genetic diagnosis for skin disease and therapy development

The course will start at approximately 12:00 on Monday, 28 November and close at approximately 13:00 on Wednesday, 30 November 2022.

Topics will include:

• Epigenetics
• Developmental biology and cancer
• Diversity in genomics
• Investigating putative functional genetic variants
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of skin disease
• Therapeutic strategies in monogenic skin diseases

This is a residential course. All participants are requested to stay onsite for the full duration to benefit fully from discussions and interactions with the faculty and other students.

Scientific programme committee

Sara Brown
University of Edinburgh, UK

David Kelsell
Queen Mary University of London, UK

Edel O'Toole
Queen Mary University of London, UK

Neil Rajan
Newcastle University, UK

Keynote speakers

Eli Sprecher
Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel

Confirmed speakers and instructors

David Adams – Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
Diana Blaydon – Queen Mary University of London, UK
Miguel Branco – Queen Mary University of London, UK
Joanna Jackow – King’s College London, UK
David Kelsell – Queen Mary University of London, UK
Josine Min – University of Bristol, UK
Louisse Mirabueno – EMBL-EBI, UK
Edel O’Toole – Queen Mary University of London, UK
Marta Polak – Janssen Pharmaceuticals, USA
Emanuel Rognoni – Queen Mary University of London, UK
Helen Weavers – University of Bristol, UK
John Wright – Bradford Institute for Health Research, UK

Organisers – Wellcome Connecting Science

Lucy Criddle, Conference & Events Organiser
Nagehan Ramazanoglu Bahadir, Scientific Programme Officer

Application deadline: 13 September, 2022.

Deadlines close at 23.59 British summer time.

Prerequisites

This course is suitable for clinical and academic dermatologists and skin biology researchers, including those in training.

How to apply for the course

Please complete the online application form. Places are limited and will be awarded on merit.

The selection process will take place in October 2022.

If you have any problems with the online application process, please contact the course organiser.

Travel visas

Citizens of many countries can travel to the UK for a course without needing a visa.
Please check the UK government website for visitor information
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor.

Confirmed attendees requiring a letter to support a visa application should contact the course organiser.

*The course fee is subsidised by Wellcome Connecting Science Learning and Training and applies to non-commercial applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

The fee will be requested once acceptance is confirmed.

Accommodation

This is a residential course. All participants will stay at The Hinxton Hall Conference Centre, Cambridge, for the nights of 28 and 29 November 2022.

Bursaries

Bursary deadline: 13 September, 2022.

A number of bursaries are available for dermatology trainees, PhD students, postdocs and those from Lower and Middle-Income Countries (see list of countries here).

• Bursaries provided by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) will cover the full registration fee of the course.
• Bursaries provided by Wellcome Connecting Science Learning and Training will cover up to 50% of the standard course fee.

To apply for a bursary, please send the course organiser the following supporting documents:

• a letter stating financial need and explaining how you will benefit from attending the course
• a supporting letter from supervisor stating financial need
• CV

All required documents and a completed online application form must have been submitted before the deadline for your bursary application to be considered.

If you have any questions, please contact the course organiser.

We will be in contact with the result of your application shortly after the deadline.

Additional funding opportunities

Visit our support page for additional financial support currently available.

Extra accommodation

If you wish to book onsite accommodation either side of the course dates, please contact the Conference Centre directly.

Accommodation services phishing scam – please be vigilant. More information.

Exploring Skin Cell Heterogeneity

Keynote lecture by Fiona Watt (Kings College London, UK) at Genomics for Dermatology 2020

Feedback from the 2020 course:

“Each and every session was well judged in terms of providing a comprehensive programme; and the speakers were excellent.“

“The course was very interesting in general, but being able to interact with the expert speakers and learn how to work in other countries was what I appreciated the most.”

“I would like to say a big thank you to the course organisers and speakers, I have learnt a lot and feel inspired about going into research.“