P000008, Real Time Quantitative PCR - theory, experimental design and data analysis, 3.5 Hp
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Syllabus

Valid from : First half-year 2024 (2024-01-01)

Level

Third cycle

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The course aims to equip students with comprehensive knowledge of applicability of qPCR methods, train relevant technical skills and introduce currently available tools. After the course students will be able to decide whether qPCR is the best method to address a given problem, design a qPCR experiment following MIQE guidelines for scientific publications of qPCR data, analyze the data and write it up for a publication.

Content

The course includes a strong theoretical background in qPCR, practically-oriented modules on the design of qPCR experiments, the analysis and presentation of qPCR data. Students will have an opportunity to learn about practical application of the qPCR method in the context of other existing techniques (NGS, Microarrays etc). The course also includes a practical part, during which students will design their own experiments, design and order primers, prepare templates, perform qPCR and analyze the data. Teaching will be carried out in the form of lectures and seminars combined with group works as well as lab work at Uppsala BioCenter. Additionally students will be asked to perform several homework tasks in groups.

Students will be encouraged to design and perform experiments based on their own project, however it will be also possible to perform an experiment using material provided by the course.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

A student should attend at least 80% of teaching sessions and complete the practical and ALL homework tasks. Students will be asked to work in groups of 2-3 people. For examination, each group will make a powerpoint presentation presenting the results of their data analysis as it would be done for a publication, summarizing the principles behind the experiment layout and their conclusions. These presentations will be discussed by all course participants at the final seminar.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Plant Biology

Supplementary information

Other Information

The course is organized by Alyona Minina (Department of Molecular Sciences, NJ faculty) on behalf of the SLU Organism Biology research school. The course will take place at Uppsala BioCenter, Ultuna campus, SLU. The course program is designed for maximum 15 students per course occasion.

The course schedule, material and useful links will be available on the dedicated website: https://www.alyonaminina.org/2024-qpcr-course

To register for the course, please follow this link:

https://forms.gle/Zv2kSwxi1nMcZi8d6