Omics for studying stem cells in model and non-model aquatic invertebrate systems
COST Action MARISTEM Training School:
Omics for studying stem cells in model and non-model aquatic invertebrate systems
Coordinators:
Ildiko Somorjai (University of St Andrews, UK) Loriano Ballarin (University of Padova, Italy)
Organising committee:
Ute Rothbächer (University of Innsbruck, Austria), Artur Burzynski (Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland), Ana Varela Coelho (ITQB, Portugal), Pedro Martinez (University of Barcelona, Spain), Ildiko Somorjai (University of St Andrews, UK), Loriano Ballarin (University of Padova, Italy)
Our mission
Training young researchers is one of the main aims of the COST Action MARISTEM “Stem cells of marine/aquatic invertebrates: from basic research to innovative applications”. This goal is being accomplished through the organization of specific workshops, the support of short-term scientific missions and the provision of training schools.
The training school “Omics for studying stem cells in model and non-model aquatic invertebrate systems” aims to: i) provide trainees with tools in ´omics technology useful for stem cell research; ii) raise the interest of young researchers in studying aquatic invertebrate stem cells, which exhibit characteristics far beyond those seen in their vertebrate counterparts; and iii) establish new contacts among researchers in the field.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the training school will be completely virtual, and split into five modules blending theory and practice. Hands-on exercise sessions will be conducted throughout the training school to introduce students to the practical aspects of analysing ´omics data using programming pipelines.
Organisation of the Training School
This training school will be held from September 6th to October 8th, 2021, broken down into 5 week-long modules on different topics centred around ‘omics technologies for the study of stem cells in aquatic invertebrate, mostly non-model systems. Lectures and online tutorials will be delivered using Zoom, recorded and provided online for the trainees to consult. All students should have internet access and are expected to participate in the entire training course. Although the course runs for 5 weeks, online attendance by students is only required Mondays, 2 hours on Friday mornings as well as in the afternoon of the last Friday of the Training School, on October 8th. This course is therefore designed to be compatible with the students’ weekly lab work and duties. Certificates of participation will be provided at the end of the training school upon completion of all modules.
This course will cover broad aspects of methodologies, with a focus on adult stem cells (or progenitors) in invertebrates, and include relevant aspects of:
-organising the ideal experiment
-sample preparation
-workflow and (general) methodology
-troubleshooting
-analysis
-discussion about and examples of different invertebrate systems
Students will be provided with bibliography as well as information to access materials to prepare for each module. On Mondays, students will have lectures from experts, along with guided practicals. From Tuesday to Thursday, materials and exercises will be available for students to independently study and practice the content learned on Mondays. Time invested here will be at the student’s discretion. On Fridays, the coordinator and tutor(s) will run a virtual 2- hour wrap-up with Q&A session covering all aspects of the module. On the afternoon of Friday October 8th, a wrap up session and informal “virtual drinks” session will take place. Recorded content will be kept available on the COST Action MARISTEM website after the end of the training school for dissemination across the Action. Certificates of participation will be provided at the end of the training school upon completion of all modules.
Application process
25 trainees (students registered for a PhD or postdoctoral researchers at recognised Universities or Institutes for Higher Education) will be invited upon successful application. Course participants must be from EU COST Action member states and affiliated countries in order to be formally recognised as having attended the training course. The application must include 1. A motivation letter from the student (500 words max) and 2. A statement from the supervisor/line manager explaining the suitability of the applicant for the training school. Please send applications to Dr Ildiko Somorjai, imls@st-andrews.ac.uk. Complete applications received by Monday June 28th, 2021, will receive priority consideration.
LINK: http://maristem.eu/event/omics-for-studying-stem-cells-in-model-and-non-model-aquatic-invertebrate-systems/
