This exciting new practical laboratory-based course will provide training in experimental and computational approaches that can be used to mechanically dissect important aspects of chromatin biology at the gene and genome-wide levels in rare cell populations.
Our understanding of eukaryotic genomes has benefitted tremendously from whole genome sequencing projects. However, we are only beginning to systematically understand how the interplay of DNA, proteins and its biochemical modifications (i.e. chromatin) can influence global processes which control gene expression, mRNA splicing and DNA replication or repair in normal development and in disease.
Participants will receive intensive wet laboratory and computational training using a variety of state-of-the-art methods that require fewer than 1000 cells input, to bridge the gap between the standard bulk epigenomic approaches often requiring inputs of millions of cells and upcoming single-cell techniques.
These sessions will be supplemented with informal tutorials, discussions and lectures from the instructors and distinguished invited speakers. Participants will analyse various genome-wide datasets to complement the wet laboratory sessions. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their own research interests and present aspects of their work that are relevant to the course.