WISP course on Wheat Genetics at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK on November 18-21, 2013

The BBSRC funded Wheat Improvement Strategic Programme (WISP) aims to identify new and useful genetic variation to support the vital contribution of wheat breeding to food security. The aim of this course is to offer training in the genetic analysis methodologies employed in WISP at the John Innes Centre. The participants will gain the skills necessary to apply these methodologies in their own research.

TARGET AUDIENCE
The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in cereals research and crop breeding. The course is an entry level introduction, giving a taste of wheat genetics, from field trials to QTL analysis. Applications are welcome from UK and international undergraduates, junior breeders, PhD students, and postdocs. A total of 10 places are available for this course.

The course is a four day programme of classroom lectures, hands-on lab exercises, and phenotyping methods appropriate for a wheat genetics program. A guest speaker and a visit to a commercial breeding programme will expand the topics covered. There will also be opportunities for the whole group to enjoy social activities and discussions.

You can view a breakdown of feedback on last year’s course at:
http://wisplandracepillar.jic.ac.uk/images/WISP_course_images/WISPCourse...

PREREQUISITES
It is essential that participants are fluent English speakers, as this intensive course will be given in English. Successful applicants will be provided with bibliography to read in advance.

PROGRAM COSTS
The registration fee is £250, payable in advance. This includes:
•Accommodation including breakfast, for four nights: Sunday 17 November to Wednesday 20 November, inclusive. The accommodation is situated at the nearby University of East Anglia and participants will be expected to walk between the accommodation and JIC, daily Monday to Thursday.
•Lunches and refreshments Monday to Thursday only, vouchers for evening meals at the UEA on Monday and Tuesday and the workshop dinner on Wednesday evening.
•Transport for the visit to the breeding station, for the guided tour of Norwich and to the dinner.

Please note - participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own travel arrangements to and from Norwich, i.e. visas, flights, train, coach or taxi travel.

Successful applicants will be notified shortly after the application deadline and will be sent an invoice for their registration fee to be paid by bank transfer within two weeks.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline for submission of application is 5pm, 2 September 2013.
Applicants are required to submit their completed application form, CV (maximum length two sides of A4) and a letter of recommendation from their Head of Department (or equivalent). Applications should be sent by email to Mrs Caroline Munnings, caroline.munnings@jic.ac.uk.

Programme

Day 1 Monday 18 November, 9am-6pm
Strategies for the identification of useful genes in wheat germplasm collections
Plant phenotyping and crossing
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) retrieval and genetic marker design

Day 2 Tuesday 19 November 9am-6pm
Marker design continued
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping
Guided tour of Norwich

Day 3 Wednesday 20 November
Genetic mapping
Trip to wheat breeding station
Workshop dinner

Day 4 Thursday 21 November 9am-5pm
Guest speaker: Dr Richard W Summers, RAGT Seeds Ltd
Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) identification
Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) discussion
Finish 5pm

Information about last year’s course can be found at the link below:
http://wisplandracepillar.jic.ac.uk/Wheat-genetics-course-Review.htm

This announcement and more details on the course content can be found at this link:
http://wisplandracepillar.jic.ac.uk/training.htm