Malaria Experimental Genetics (Accra, Ghana)

In collaboration with the University of Ghana, we are pleased to announce
this Wellcome Genome Campus Overseas Course in Malaria Experimental
Genetics.

This free laboratory-based course will provide participants with hands-on
training in cutting-edge Plasmodium experimental genetics
techniques, from designing gene targeting vectors and creating transgenic
parasites to genotyping and phenotyping the resulting strains.

The goal is to facilitate the participants’ own research careers by
exposing them to state-of-the-art experimental approaches, while
discussing the advantages and limitations of each approach.

The week-long course will cover experimental approaches to generating
genetic mutations in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium
falciparum. The course is hands-on and attendees will generate gene
targeting constructs, carry out different transfection approaches,
undertake practical exercises in genotyping of modified parasites, and
both observe and learn advanced molecular phenotyping approaches.

There will be a particular focus on new scalable approaches, including
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Experimental genetic approaches in other
malaria parasites including the rodent malaria model Plasmodium
berghei and the human pathogen Plasmodium knowlesi will
also be discussed. The laboratory-based programme will be complemented by
specific lectures
in cutting-edge areas presented by distinguished
regional guest
speakers.

The course is open to scientists and clinicians based in Africa who are
looking to establish and use Plasmodium transfection technology
at their institutes. Places are limited and priority will be given to
applicants who provide a strong scientific case for learning
Plasmodium genome modification.

The course will be taught in English.

The overall programme strategy will be to follow a Plasmodium
experimental genetics experiment from conception to completion, equipping
attendees to design and carry out their own projects in the future.
Topics to be covered will include:

Gene targeting vector construction

• CRISPR-Cas9 based approaches
• Consideration of the relative merits of different conditional expression approaches

Transfection and genotyping

• Mechanics of transfection in  P. falciparum
• Verification of targeting using multiple genotyping techniques

Molecular phenotyping

• Imaging approaches
• Application of next generation sequencing to transcriptional profiling and quantitating parasite growth
• Flow cytometry-based phenotyping platforms

Learning Outcomes
After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• design CRISPR-Cas9 gene targeting constructs to engineer single point mutations and gene disruptions
• plan and execute P. falciparum transfection experiments, and genotyping of the resulting transfection progeny
• understand the strengths and limits of different reverse genetic techniques, including conditional gene technologies
• appreciate the range of phenotypic assays available for malaria experimental genetics

Course instructors
Oliver Billker Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute, Hinxton, UK
Ellen Bushell Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute, Hinxton, UK
Marcus
Lee Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
Julian Rayner Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute, Hinxton, UK

Guest speakers
Amy Kristine Bei Laboratory of Parasitology,
& Mycology, Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Cheikh Anta Diop University
of Dakar, Senegal
Alfred Amambua-Ngwa Centre for Genomics and
Global Health, Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia

Prerequisites
The course is open to scientists and clinicians based in Africa who are
looking to establish and use Plasmodium
transfection technology
at their institutes. Places are limited and
priority will be given to
applicants who provide a strong scientific case for
learning
Plasmodium genome modification. The course will be taught in
English.

Cost
Overseas courses are free to attend for non-commercial
applicants. Please contact us for the commercial fee.

Applications
Applications for this course can be completed online. If you have any
problems with the online application process, please contact us.

Please note: Applications
must be supported by a
recommendation from a scientific or clinical sponsor (e.g. supervisor or
head of department). A request for a supporting
statement will be sent
to your nominated sponsor automatically during
the application process.
Applicants must ensure that their sponsor
provides this supporting
statement by the application deadline. Applications without a supporting
statement cannot be considered.

Deadlines
Deadline for Applications: Closed

Cost
Overseas courses are free to attend for non-commercial applicants. Please
contact us for the commercial fee.

Bursaries
Limited bursaries to cover travel, accommodation and
sustenance costs are also available and are awarded on merit. If you
would like to apply for a
bursary, please complete the bursary section
of the online application
form.

Please note that both the applicant
and sponsor are required to provide
a justification for the
bursary as part of the application

Bursary terms and conditions

UK Courses (held at the Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton,
Cambridge)
A
limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are
awarded by the selection committee according to merit. The bursary
covers a maximum of 50% of the course fee, though in exceptional
circumstances an application for the total course fee may be considered.
Where there are many bursary applications, the selection committee may
issue smaller amounts. We cannot assist with travel costs to attend UK
courses.

Overseas Courses (held outside of the UK)
A
limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are
awarded on merit to cover travel, accommodation and sustenance. The
maximum award for travel (economy class) will be £750.

Bursaries can be applied for as part of the course application form.
Applicants
will be notified of a bursary award along with their place on
the
course, usually within one month of the application deadline. The
decision of the selection committee is
final.