Microbial Metagenomics, Michigan State University, Summer Course 2012, June 3rd - June 16th
Learn state-of-the-art genomic methods to identify relationships between the structure and function of microbial communities. This intensive two-week course will provide hands-on experience with all aspects of a metagenomic study. You will formulate hypotheses and design experiments to test them. You will isolate and sequence environmental DNA. You will perform computational and statistical analyses to test your hypotheses. Your system will be an ongoing study of the effects of land use on the production of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide at the nearby Kellogg Biological Station Long Term Ecological Research Site (http://lter.kbs.msu.edu). Morning lectures will discuss microbial and ecological principles underlying experiments that you will conduct during the afternoons. The wet lab sessions will include purification of DNA from soil for clone libraries and 454 pyrosequencing and for quantitative PCR. In the computer lab you will analyze your sequences and metagenomic data with a suite of contemporary programs to measure community diversity, and use multivariate analyses to relate community composition to ecosystem function. The course will be taught primarily by Drs. Thomas Schmidt, Jay Lennon and Clegg Waldron of Michigan State University. Other researchers (from MSU and elsewhere) will be contributing their expertise in both lectures and lab sessions. Who can attend? This course is primarily for graduate students, postdocs and faculty. Advanced undergraduates and other researchers will be considered. This year, for the first time, the course can be taken as a workshop or for credit. What do I need to know in advance? We encourage diversity of backgrounds. The primary prerequisite is a keen interest in adding molecular methods to your research. Where will it be held? Lectures and laboratory sessions will be held on the main campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Single-room accommodation is available on campus. When do I apply? Application is open now until March 16th, 2012. Additional information and application forms are at http://metagenomics.wikidot.com/
