The CMB holds classroom hands-on workshops throughout the year to assist faculty and students in the use and application of the instrumentation. The Center also provides analysis and interpretation of molecular and genomic data. We have 12 iMacs set up for people to use during the course of the workshops, which are free of charge.

Individual training is also available.  Please contact lbierwer@smith.edu to discuss possible training sessions or if there is a particular topic that you would like to see presented.

The CMB workshops are now part of the Workshops In Life Sciences (WILS).

Workshops in Spring 2011

Date

Change

Time: Now Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 12:20-1:05
Location: The CMB, Ford 123
Topics: Applications and how-to-use guide for the 7300 Real-Time PCR System and an overview of Sequencing and the sequencing services available in the CMB.
Speaker: Lou Ann Bierwert

Time: TBA
Location: The CMB, Ford 138
Topics: Bioinformatics
Speaker: Lou Ann Bierwert

 

Workshops in Fall 2010

Time: Wednesday, September 22, 12:30-1:30pm
Location: The CMB, Ford 123
Topics: Spectrophotometry and Flourimetry: Applications and how-to-use guide for the plate reader and the nanodrop spec in the CMB
Speaker: Lou Ann Bierwert

Time: Thursday, October 28, 12:20-1:30pm
Location: The CMB, Ford 138 and then Ford 123
Topics: Microarrays: Applications and how-to-use guide for the GenePix 4100 scanner and GenePix Pro software in the CMB.
Speaker: Lou Ann Bierwert

 

Workshops in Fall 2009

Time: 12:15 - 1:30pm, Dec 4, 2009 (Friday)
Location: McC B05
Topics: Building your skills in real-time PCR
Speaker: Chris Read, Field Application Scientist, Applied Biosystems (Life Technologies)

click here for the flyer

Workshops in Spring 2009

Time: 1:30 - 3:00pm, April 24, 2009 (Friday)
Location: SR225
Topics: RNA interference: Silencing the Genes
Speaker: Wen Li
Abstract:

RNA interference (RNAi) has made big splash in the last decade. It is a mechanism that occurs naturally in the cell, by which double stranded (ds) RNA induces gene silencing by targeting complementary mRNA for degradation. The phenomenon has been utilized as a major tool to knockdown gene expression in research and clinical fields.
The workshop will cover:

- History and discovery
- Mechanism of RNAi
- Applications of RNAi
- Money-making potential of RNAi
- Tour of the Bio-Rad Biolistic Particle Delivery System, which is an equipment that introduces DNA-coated microcarriers into cells.

Workshops in Fall 2008

Time: 1:30 - 3:00pm, October 24, 2008 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Using DNA Microarray to Profile Gene Expression
Speaker: Wen Li

Workshops in Spring 2008

Time: 12:15 - 2:00pm, Feb 29, 2008 (Friday), LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED!
Location: McConnell B05
Topics: The Science of Western Blotting
Speaker: Paul Joseph, Field Applications Specialist, Millipore
Abstract:

Immunodetection plays an important role in Western blotting. This technique involves the separation of a protein mixture by gel electrophoresis, with subsequent electrotransfer to a suitable membrane (e.g., PVDF). Traditionally, Western blotting is used to detect low amounts of proteins in complex samples or to monitor protein expression and purification. The blotted protein can be identified through its interaction with a specific antibody probe.

We invite you to come and experience an opportunity to gain more technical insight on the key areas of Western Blotting. In addition to standard methods, this discussion will include protocol optimization and troubleshooting strategies. Focusing on commonly encountered problems and our recommendations for:

Poor transfer
Small protein blow-through
Visualization of proteins before Immunodetection
Low specificity with high background
Noisy background
High overall background
Antibody specificity controls
Low signal/sensitivity
Difficulties with reprobing
Lengthy Immunodetection process
Unidentified artifacts on blots
High background autofluorescence

Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm, April 25, 2008 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Modifying Gene Expression with RNA Interference (RNAi) Technology

 

Workshops in Fall 2007

Starting this semester, the workshops hosted by the CMB now becomes a part of the Workshops In the Life Sciences (WILS). See more details, click here

Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm, Sept 21, 2007 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Introduction to Real-Time PCR Technology

Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm, Oct 26, 2007 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Using DNA Microarray to Profile Gene Expression

 

Workshops in Spring 2007

Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm, March 30, 2007 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Quantitative PCR and Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time System

Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm, April 27, 2007 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: DNA Microarray Technology: A Tool to Study Gene Expression

 

Workshops in Fall 2006

Time: 2 - 4pm, October 17, 2006 (Tuesday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Introduction to bioinformatics

Time: 2-4pm, November 10, 2006 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Quantitative PCR and Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time System

 

Workshops in Spring 2006

Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm, February 10, 2006 (Friday)
Location: SR342
Topics: Microarray/qPCR Users Group Discussion I

Time: 2-4pm, February 17, 2006 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: An introduction to bioinformatics including EditView, BLAST and Spidey

Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm, March 3, 2006 (Friday)
Location: SR342
Topics: Microarray/qPCR Users Group Discussion II

Time: 2-4pm, April 7, 2006 (Friday)
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Use of Lasergene software: EditSeq, MegAlign adn SeqMan

 

Workshops in Fall 2005

Time: 2-4pm, November 11, 2005
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Quantitative PCR and Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time System
Download presentation: 20051111.pdf (3.3 MB)

Time: 2-4pm, October 21, 2005
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Use of Lasergene software, including SeqMan and PrimerSelect.  
Download handouts: PrimerSelect.doc (300 KB)
                                  SeqMan.doc (420 KB)

Time: 2-4pm, October 14, 2005
Location: BASS B02
Topics: Use of Lasergene software, including EditSeq and  MegAlign.  
Download presentation and handout: 20051014.pdf (3.2 MB)
                                                            Excercises-Edit-Meg.doc (132 KB)
                                                            Ce-col-34.doc (4 KB)

Time: 2-4pm, September 23, 2005
Location: BASS B02
Topics: An introduction to bioinformatics including EditView for examining DNA sequences from the automated sequencers and BLAST analysis.  
Download presentation: 20050923.pdf (3.3 MB)

Time: 1:15-2:00pm, September 16, 2005
Location: SR408
Topics: A short training on DNA sequencing service ordering including the procedure from sample submission to data pickup.  
Download handout: DNA Seq Submission.doc (32 KB)