Advanced Course in Molecular Systematics, 3 - 13th April 2000,

[Rupert G. Wilson]

Advanced Course in Molecular Systematics
3 - 13th April 2000
The University of Reading, UK.


The Centre for Plant Diversity and Systematics at the University of
Reading is
pleased to offer for the second time an Advanced Short Course in
Molecular
Systematics. This successful course was run for the first time in 1998.
Sponsored by NERC, the course provides in depth coverage of the latest 
techniques in molecular systematics and comparative sequence analysis.
The 
treatment of theoretical issues in formal lectures is coupled with
practical 
workshops and seminars in four main areas: 

1.   Practical issues of DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing are
introduced
     using the latest technologies. The handling of difficult material
is 
     discussed in troubleshooting workshops 

2.   Skills in computer based sequence assembly, alignment and analysis
are 
     taught. The acquisition of DNA sequence from databases is
introduced. 

3.   Phylogeny reconstruction using current parsimony and maximum
likelihood 
     approaches are introduced and skills developed through workshops.

4.   The interpretation of phylogeny to answer biological questions is
     emphasised. 

The programme brings together a range of experts in the field of
molecular 
systematics. Contributors include: 

     Prof. David Balding (Department of Applied Statistics, 
     University of Reading) 

     Dr James Compton (Department of Botany, University of Reading) 

     Dr Alastair Culham (Course Organiser - Department of Botany,
University 
     of Reading) 

     Mr George Gibbings (School of Plant Sciences, University of
Reading) 

     Dr Mary Gibby (Department of Botany, Natural History Museum,
London) 

     Dr Julie Hawkins (Course Organiser - Department of Botany,
University 
     of Reading) 

     Dr Robert Hirt (Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum,
London) 

     Professor Chris Humphries (Department of Botany, Natural History 
     Museum, London) 

     Dr Mark Pagel (School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, University 
     of Reading) 

     Dr Vincent Savolainen (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) 

     Dr Mark Wilkinson (Department of Zoology, Natural History 
     Museum, London) 

Further details can be found at the following location;

http://www.reading.ac.uk/AcaDepts/sb/Courses/courses-short/molsys.html

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