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

 

Monday February 9th, 2009, SR 408, 2:30-4PM

"Introduction to Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy "
Presented by Judith Wopereis, CMI, Smith College

The laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) eliminates out-of focus light from the imaging process obtaining good quality optical sections available for 3D image construction. In this workshop, designed for people interested in learning how to use the LSCM, components and application of the LSCM will be discussed.

  • What is a confocal microscope?
  • Mechanical and optical components of the confocal microscope.
  • Image acquisition.
  • Overview of applications.

To sign up, please email Judith Wopereis.

 

March 6th, 2009, Burton 101, 1:30-3:30pm

"Using Mass Spectrometry to Identify Proteins"
Presented by Dr. Mohini Kulp, CFP, Smith College

The complete proteome has not been sequenced for any organism and researchers hope to identify novel proteins that will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of molecular biology, act as bio-markers that signal disease and provide targets for drug design. In the last ten years or so, the method of choice for protein identification is mass spectrometry.This workshop will cover the techniques available in the Center for Proteomics for the identification of novel proteins. In this hands-on workshop, we will:

  • Run a protein digest on the mass spectrometer.
  • Manually analyze the data obtained from a protein sequencing run to demonstrate the relationship between mass spectra  and  protein sequence.
  • Learn to use database searching algorithms (such as Sequest) to identify a protein.

No specific prior experience is required for this workshop. To sign up, please emailMona Kulp

 

Monday April 6th, 2009, SR 411, 2:30-4PM

"Introduction to Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy "
Presented by Judith Wopereis, CMI, Smith College

The laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) eliminates out-of focus light from the imaging process obtaining good quality optical sections available for 3D image construction. In this workshop, designed for people interested in learning how to use the LSCM, components and application of the LSCM will be discussed.

  • What is a confocal microscope?
  • Mechanical and optical components of the confocal microscope.
  • Image acquisition.
  • Overview of applications.

To sign up, please email Judith Wopereis.

 

Friday April 17th, 2009, McC B05, 12:15-1:30PM

"Development and Evaluation of an RT-PCR Assay for the Stage-Specific Detection of Filarial L3 Larvae in Infective Mosquitoes: An Essential Tool for Monitoring the Success of Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programs"
Presented by Sandra Laney (AC '96, Master's '02), Smith College

A presentation of her doctoral thesis research identifying L3-activated genes from two filarial parasites responsible for the tropical disease known as Elephantiasis.   The L3-activated genes were used to develop a diagnostic assay using qRT-PCR to detect the infective stage of the parasite in mosquitoes.  These new assays can be used to evaluate the risk of ongoing transmission in communities that have undergone drug treatments to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.

This is a perfect example showing how a molecular biotechnique such as real-time PCR is applied in the real work (basic research, medical diagnostics). To sign up, please email Wen Li.

 

Friday April 124th, 2009, SR 225, 1:30-3:00PM

"RNA interference: Silencing the Genes"
Presented by Dr. Wen Li, CMB, Smith College

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.

To sign up, please email Wen Li.

 

March 24th, 2009, SR 342, 3:00-4:00pm

"IP protocols for Mass Spectrometry"
Presented by Dr. Mohini Kulp, CFP, Smith College

Samples preparation is a key step in identifying protein interactions using mass spectrometry. Immunoprecipitation (IP) protocols designed for mass spectrometry have to be optimized for purity and the presence of binding partners. The second criteria for successful mass spectrometry analysis are sufficient sample concentration so that you will be able to identify your protein(s) of interest. In this workshop, we will focus on a number of different IP protocols suitable for follow-up analysis by mass spectrometry and identify criteria that are essential for optimization of the protocol.

To sign up, please emailMona Kulp

 

This workshop is designed for students and/or faculty that are interested in identifying protein interactions with mass spectroscopy.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 


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).