Quantitative real-time PCR is an increasingly important analytical method in the biological research, the pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology and clinical diagnostics industries for quantifying DNA and mRNA. This 2-day ‘hands-on’ workshop will teach the basic principles of qPCR and will focus on the practical steps required to design, set-up, validate and analyse real-time qPCR assays.

Teaching: The focus will be on practical work by the participants themselves. Each session will be prefaced by a brief lecture. The aim is to provide an intense but stimulating experience of lasting value. Participants will use two different real-time PCR cyclers. The workshop will be informal with a timetable organised to encourage interaction, questions and discussion. Dr David Sugden (Reader, King’s College London) will run the workshop assisted by post-doctoral researchers experienced in the technique. Feedback from participants in previous workshops include:

‘…clear, complete, well-prepared…’

‘…just excellent!!’

‘…thorough and clear teaching aims.’

‘….enough time to discuss problems…’

‘…small group size…’

‘…good practical tips & tricks…’

Suitable for: Researchers in the pharmaceutical/biotech industries and postgraduate students and post-doctoral researchers in academia with some familiarity with PCR principles.

Course venue: New Hunt’s House, in modern multi-purpose teaching labs at the Guy’s Campus of King’s College London, 2 minutes walk from London Bridge mainline & underground stations.

Date:Thursday & Friday 6^th & 7^th March 2008

Further information: Details of the course programme and a registration form can be downloaded from:

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/biohealth/pcr.html

or contact Dr David Sugden, School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, King’s College London, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL for further information

Phone: 020 7848 6274

E-mail: david.sugden@kcl.ac.uk

Cost: £320, including lunch. Participants to arrange their own overnight accommodation