Exploring Microbial Processes

About

Learn the latest advancements in next-generation sequencing in human health used in research and diagnostics. Brno, home to Gregor Mendel, is the perfect place to further one's education.

Through this program students will learn about metagenomics, transcriptomics, and whole-genome analyses, including the following bioinformatic processing of sequencing data, experimental design, proper sample collection and quality, and statistical analysis.

This course engages both theory and practical lessons where students will learn the skills of preparing sequencing libraries and metagenomic library preparation for the NGS systems, including hands-on bioinformatics analysis. At the end of the course students will have analysed samples of their choice and be able to discover their bacterial composition. 

This programme is designed as a part of our Intensive 2 Week Summer School, where multiple courses from a wide variety of Masaryk University study programmes and departments will be offered. These courses will be arranged in an intensive and dynamic form, each working day there will be an academic session. In the afternoon and evenings students come together from across disciplines to enjoy everything Brno has to offer!

Course leader

Jan Lochman, David Novák

Target group

Students with experience in life sciences and medicine are preferred. Knowledge of biochemistry and/or biology is advantageous, but all participants are welcome.

Course aim

At the end of the program, students should be able to:
- Apply pure culture technique
- Observe and measure microbial growth
- Use of gas chromatography for metabolite analysis
- Prepare amplicon and metagenomic sample libraries for use on NGS platforms
- Critically assess a sequencing run and select technologies appropriate to specific needs
- Process NGS data and use computational tools for analysis of metagenome data

Fee info

The cost breakdowns as follows: Tuition fees; Accommodation in Brno (12-26 July); Breakfast; Orientation; Daily cultural and social activities including welcome and farewell receptions; Saturday trip to one of the local Czech UNESCO sites; 24/7 support. Students should budget an additional €200-500 depending on their spending habits for food (lunch, dinner) and other expenses. Public transport ticket is in additional costs.