WORKSHOPS.
Cytogenetics and Bioinformatics in the experimental design of tools for Cancer Biomarkers
Ana Escudeiro, Filomena Adega,
Raquel Chaves
In this workshop we will demonstrate how to design experimental tools to be used as cancer biomarkers in diagnostic or in targeted therapy. Several clinical cases will be resolved through the help of cytogenetics and bioinformatics in order to obtain this particular experimental tools. Most of the clinical cases analyzed in this workshop are within the framework of the project PulmaGENE 33533 – “Genetic blood analysis to guide therapy of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)”.
Participants must bring personal computer with internet access. The workshop is limited to 20
participants and will last 3 hours (9h30-12h30).
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Designing DNA-based tools for detection purposes: HRM and Biosensors
José Ramiro, Sónia Gomes, Leonor Pereira, Paula Martins-Lopes
In this workshop we will present the workflow required to design DNA-based tools suitable for detection purposes, using two alternative platforms. The optimization of each step and the different approaches needed to tackle the problematic will be explained, using case studies already undertaken by the group (wine and olive oil authenticity) under the frame of INNOVINE&WINE and WineBioCode projects. New emerging areas of application will be explored, such as those in the framework of the project PulmaGENE 33533 – “Genetic blood analysis to guide therapy of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)”.
Participants must bring lab coat. The workshop is limited to 20 participants and will last 3
hours (9h30-12h30).
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Trying to understand species’ adaptation to climate change. What says the DNA?
Márcia Carvalho, Manuela Matos, Isaura Castro, Valdemar Carnide
In this workshop we will discuss how the plant genetic resources (especially landraces) helps on the adaptation to climate changes. Climate changes is one of the most critical challenges for the near future due the huge impact on plant development and yield being the drought one of abiotic constraint more important. A hypothesis to counteract this is the use different molecular approaches. Molecular marker analysis, genome wide association studies (GWAS), gene selection and gene expression evaluation, will be useful to identify varieties more resilient. A short presentation of these approaches will be presented and used as basis for discussion.
The workshops is limited to 30 participants and will last 1.30 hours (9h30-11.00h).
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A post mortem key to understanding life: from classical to molecular necropsy
Isabel Pires e Justina Prada
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Post mortem examination is an essential tool for determining the cause and circumstances of death. Even in the age of molecular pathology, necropsy remains the most valuable tool for understanding the whole organism and the disease. However, the value of molecular pathology in post mortem diagnosis depends on special precautions required for collecting specimens, such as material for DNA analysis.
In this workshop we will carry out necropsies in different animal species aiming the collection of material for molecular analysis.
The workshops is limited to 12 to 15 participants and will last 3 hours (9h30-12.30h).
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The incredible genetics of the “Maya bee”
Paulo A. Russo Almeida, José Luís Fernandes Teixeira, Helena Mendes Ferreira
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The western honey bee Apis mellifera represents one of the most important pollinators, with a high economic impact derived from the services they provide to the ecosystem, but also from the products obtained through their work such as honey and pollen. Honey bees are also one of the most studied insects mainly for their social structure that represents a great example to illustrate unusual mechanism of genetic and epigenetic sexual differentiation. With this workshop, we intend to explore the different mechanisms underlying honey bees and how these impact the colony’s vitality. It will be described the base methodology to create queens and how can we use genetic characteristics to improve their performance. Moreover, it will be explored the genetic diversity found in this subspecies, using as a tool, the geometric morphometrics of the anterior wings, by plotting landmarks across the wing venation. Finally, it is created a fantastic opportunity to identify and taste different products that this “super-organism” provide: honey, bee-bread, propolis, royal jelly, wax and apitoxin.
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The workshops is limited to 12 to 15 participants and will last 3 hours (9h30-12.30h).
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SILK, AN EXCITING MATERIAL
Rui F.P. Pereira, Mariana Fernandes, Helena M.R. Gonçalves, F. Santos, V. de Zea Bermudez
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This workshop intends to provide an overview of silk science and highlight the most attractive features of this very attractive biomacromolecule which has a tremendous technological potential in a wide variety of areas, spanning from electronics and optics to biomedicine. The basics of silk processing and characterization will be presented and explored in practical laboratory experiments. The participants will perform degumming of silk fibers harvested from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons and will examine silk-based films and scaffolds. The principles of scaffold production via porogenic agents, electrospinning and unidirectional freeze-casting will be emphasized. Several techniques will be employed to study the morphology, thermal behaviour, surface properties and transparency of regenerated and raw silk fibers.
The workshops is limited to 12 to 15 participants and will last 3 hours (9h30-12.30h).
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SIGN UP HERE