The WILS workshop series is a collaborative effort between the center for proteomics(CFP), the center for molecular biology (CMB) and the center for microscopy and imaging (CMI). We will offer a series of short courses relating to aspects of research in the life sciences. Both lecture-based and hands-on courses will be available. 

 

  SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOPS

 

September 21st , 2007, Bass 02, 1:30-3:30pm

"Using Real-Time PCR to Study Gene Expression"
Presented by Dr. Wen Li, CMB, Smith College

Real-Time PCR also called quantitative real time PCR (QRT-PCR), is a powerful technique used to simultaneously quantify and amplify a specific part of a given DNA molecule. It has recently evolved to become one of the major tools to study gene expression, SNP genotyping, and pathogen quantitation.  This workshop will cover: 

  • The theory behind real-time PCR
  • Two types of real-time chemistries: TaqMan probe and SYBR-Green Dye
  • Two types of quantitation assays: absolute quantitation and relative quantitation
  • Real-time equipment available in the center - Applied BIosystems 7300 Real Time PCR System (including a tour at the end of the workshop)

To sign up, please email Wen Li

 

September 28th, 2007, SR 411, 1:30-3:30pm

"Light Microscopy: Getting the most out of your compound microscope "
Presented by Judith Wopereis, CMI, Smith College

Making use of visible light and a system of lenses, the compound microscope allows us to examine fine morphological details resolved and visualized in magnified images. This hands-on workshop will be beneficial for any user wanting to know how to use and properly setup the compound microscope to acquire good quality images. In this workshop we will cover:

  • Optical components of the microscope, setup and alignment. 
  • Size measurements using the compound microscope, calibrating the ocular micrometer.
  • Overview of different light microscopy techniques and their applications.
  • Demonstration using the Olympus BX51 research microscope.

To sign up, please email Judith Wopereis, Session limited to 10 students.

 

October 12th, 2007, Bass 02, 1:30-3:30pm

"Tutorial on 2D Gel Electrophoresis: Sample preparation and Analysis"
Presented by Dr. Mohini Kulp, CFP, Smith College

Two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis is a separation technique that allows you to both resolve complex mixtures of proteins and simultaneous visualize relatively large portions of the proteome. This tutorial is appropriate for anyone who would like to learn the basics of 2D gel electrophoresis and will provide an overview of the basic setup for a proteomics experiment. In this tutorial we will cover:

  • The theory behind 2D Gel Electrophoresis
  • Sample preparation advice
  • The types of equipment available in the center for 2D analysis (including a tour of the center at the end of the presentation)
  • Using PDQuest software to obtain qualitative and quantitative data from your 2D Gels

To sign up, please emailMona Kulp

 

October 19th , 2007, SR 411, 1:30-3:30pm

"Fluorescence Microscopy: Visualizing light emitting molecular markers"
Presented by Judith Wopereis, CMI, Smith College

In fluorescence microscopy light emitting stains are used to visualize the localization, concentration or movement of one or more selected molecules or organelles within a sample. Optical components and applications will be discussed in this workshop designed for anyone intending to use the fluorescence microscope in their research or teaching. The following will be covered:

  • Mechanical and optical components of the microscope.
  • Microscope setup and image acquisition.
  • Overview of applications using the fluorescence microscope.
  • Demonstration using the Olympus BX51 research microscope.

To sign up, please email Judith Wopereis, Session limited to 10 students.

 

October 26th , 2007, Bass 02, 1:30-3:30pm

"Using DNA Microarray to Profile Gene Expression "
Presented by Dr. Wen Li, CMB, Smith College

DNA microarray is a powerful technique for gene expression profiling, i.e., monitoring expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously, or for comparative genomic hybridization.  The workshop will cover: 

  • The theory behind DNA microarray technique
  • Experimental design
  • Challenges and quality control during the procedure
  • Microarray facility available in the center – Spotbot microarryer, microarray scanner and Nanodrop (including a tour at the end of the workshop)

To sign up, please email Wen Li

 

November 2nd , 2007, Bass 02, 1:30-3:30pm

"Mass spectrometry for Small Molecules"
Presented by Dr. Mohini Kulp, CFP, Smith College

Mass spectrometry is an important analytical tool because it provides more information about the composition and structure of a substance using less sample than any other analytical technique. This workshop is appropriate for anyone who would like to use mass spectrometry or LC/MS to analyze small organic molecules or small biomolecules like oligonucleotides and peptides. We will cover:

  • the basic theory behind mass spectrometers and different types of ionization sources
  • an overview of an LC/MS run and types of data that can be obtained
  • General sample preparation guidelines and some tips for working with organometallic compounds.
  • An introduction to analysis software including Promass and HighChem
  • Use the mass spectrometer to run a sample compound at the end of the presentation

To sign up, please emailMona Kulp

 

November 9th , 2007, Bass 02, 1:30-3:30pm

"Photoshop for Microscopy: Making figures from images"
Presented by Judith Wopereis, CMI, Smith College

Adobe Photoshop is a very powerful graphics program allowing for images to be labeled, modified and combined in preparing figures for reports, displays and publications. How much manipulation is allowed? How to make composite images? If you ask yourself these questions, this workshop is for you!  

  • Importing images into Photoshop and understanding file formats.
  • Different tools to manipulate images (cropping, adjusting levels, etc.) and the effect on image quality after resizing the image.
  • Adding labels including the correct scale marker bar.
  • Combining images, adjusting the layout and final preparation for publication.

To sign up, please email Judith Wopereis, Session limited to 14 students.

 

November 16th, 2007, Bass 02, 1:30-3:30pm

"Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Protein Identification "
Presented by Dr. Mohini Kulp, CFP, Smith College

The aim of proteomics is to separate and identify individual proteins of interest to you. In this tutorial we will look at how to use mass spectrometry, specifically tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), to identify separated protein spots from a 1-D or 2-D gel.
In this workshop we will cover:

  • A brief description of the general theory behind mass spectrometers and an overview of data collected in an LC/MS run
  • Sample preparation protocols for excising spots from a gel and tryptic digestion
  • Interpreting mass spectra to obtain sequence information
  • Using Bioworks 3.3 to identify proteins and post translational modifications
  • Analyze some sample data from an LC/MS run at the end of the presentation

To sign up, please email Mona Kulp

 

November 30th, 2007, Bass 02, 1:30-3:30pm

"Modifying Gene Expression with RNA Interference"
Presented by Dr. Wen Li, CMB, Smith College

RNAi has emerged as a major tool to modify gene expression, such as knockdown.  Two scientists who discovered RNAi, Dr. Andrew Fire and Dr. Craig Mello, shared 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The workshop will cover: 

  • History and discovery
  • Overview of RNAi, including essential RNAi vocabulary
  • Technological applications
  • Experimental design
  • Tour of the Bio-Rad Biolistic Particle Delivery System, which is an equipment that introduce DNA-coated microcarriers into cells

To sign up, please email Wen Li

 

OTHER INFORMATION

Download the WILS poster for fall 2007.

 


If you would like to see specific seminar topics offered, please contact the instructor from the appropriate center :

CFP( Mona Kulp), CMB (Wen Li ), CMI (Judith Wopereis).