Genomics and Clinical Virology by Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences

Genomics and Clinical Virology is organized by Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences and will be held from Feb 10 - 15, 2019 at Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, England, United Kingdom. This CPD Conference has been approved for a maximum of 43 CPD Credits.

Course Description:
The course is aimed at virology Clinical Scientists and Specialist Registrars who are planning to implement NGS in clinical diagnostic laboratories. Virology researchers at PhD, postdoc or more senior level who have an interest in learning how to carry out NGS of viral genomes are also encouraged to apply. The course will concentrate on the application of cutting edge genomic techniques that can be implemented now and explore new approaches that will enter practice in the near future.

The practical part of the course will provide laboratory sessions that will focus on the preparation of sequencing libraries for metagenomics and PCR-based approaches with particular emphasis on how to improve the efficiency of viral NGS by undertaking variations in library preparation techniques such as target enrichment by probe hybridization.

The course will cover a wide range of cutting-edge viral WGS laboratory techniques and *bioinformatics analysis in practical classes, demonstrations or lectures. The areas and issues to be addressed will include:
• Background to viral WGS approaches
• Sample handling and preparation
• Library preparation techniques
• Target enrichment methods e.g. probe-based sequence capture or PCR-based
• viral metagenomics
• Technique discrimination – the appropriate technique to use in different scenarios
• Next generation and third generation sequencing platforms
• Bioinformatics analysis including different viral genome assembly approaches
• Data interpretation
• Validation and accreditation of viral WGS diagnostic service.
Case studies in outbreak investigation and infection control

Conference Learning Outcomes:
After attending the course, participants should be able to:
• Carry out NGS including wet lab preparation and bioinformatic analysis of real samples.
• Create sequencing libraries and analyse samples derived from patients with viral infections
 (e.g. HIV, HCV, EBOV, Zika).
• Evaluate how to improve the efficiency of NGS by carrying out variations in library preparation technique e.g. target enrichment.
• Evaluate the pitfalls of NGS interpretation in clinical viral diagnostics.
• Evaluate potential future applications of NGS in clinical diagnostic laboratories and appreciate the limitations of the technique.