Coronavirus update:
UKCEH has cancelled the course scheduled for 9-11 June 2020. We may set a new date in the future.
Please continue expressing your interest in this course here.
Location:
UKCEH Wallingford, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB Location map & travel directions
Cost:
£799 Professionals
£599 registered students
Refreshments are included in the price. Accommodation is not included in the price.
Short Course Description:
This 3-day course will prepare participants to develop microbial field survey techniques and experiment design skills, to collect high-quality microbial samples in the field and prepare them for analysis, and to understand the bioinformatics and statistic requirements to publish such studies.
Day 1: Theoretical preparation and sampling design requirements.
Day 2 starts with a field component where you will take riverine and soil microbial samples, and a lab work component in the afternoon, when you will prepare the sampled DNA for shotgun sequencing.
Day 3: You will analyse different types of microbial data samples in the morning. In the afternoon, you will convert the data into a publishable format, followed by a session about paper writing.
Course Objectives:
The course participants will gain a better understanding of
1) what is required to design a scientifically sound sampling strategy
2) what is required to conduct scientifically viable fieldwork
3) what is required to prepare a publication once the data has been collected
Learning outcomes:
Course participants will be able to identify what elements are needed to successfully design a study including microbial field- and lab work and take it through to publication.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is not included in the cost. More detail: see FAQ and our guide to accommodation near UKCEH Wallingford.
Places:
20
Level:
Beginner
Course participants should have undergraduate-level knowledge of microbial ecology and fieldwork design.
Course Leader:
Dr Katja Lehmann, Microbial Ecologist and Bioinformatician, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Dr Lehmann has more than 9 years experience in conducting fieldwork campaigns and bioinformatics analyses for publication.
Target Audience:
MSc and PhD students studying microbiology, ecology or any related field.
Citizen scientists with sampling experience.
Course delivery:
Blended learning, with lectures, discussions, practicals and elements of problem-based learning
Relevant links and key publications
Lehmann, K. "Sampling of riverine or marine bacterial communities in remote locations: from field to publication." Marine Genomics: Methods and Protocols (2016): 1-11.