From Heather.Vincent from manchester.ac.uk  Thu Sep  4 02:44:34 2008
From: Heather.Vincent from manchester.ac.uk (Heather Vincent)
Date: Thu Sep  4 10:42:20 2008
Subject: [Immunology] Introduction to Bioinformatics
Message-ID: <48BF91E2.1020302@manchester.ac.uk>

The distance learning course 'Introduction to Bioinformatics' from the 
University of Manchester, UK, begins again on 6 October 2008.  This is a 
Masters level course; credits can count towards either the MSc in 
Bioinformatics or the MSc in Immunology and Immunogenetics 
(http://www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/distancelearning/).

The course is delivered in a Virtual Learning Environment, which allows 
us to extend the classroom into the web.  Teaching and learning are 
focussed around tutor-supported exercises.  In this course, participants 
work together on the interpretation of their results, before receiving 
feedback from the course tutor.  Participants who wish to be assessed 
for credits at MSc level should complete additional independent research.

Week 1		Introduction to distance learning
		Bioinformatics as a knowledge-based discipline

Weeks 2 and 3	Introduction to the sequence databases
		Quality, redundancy and annotation
		Sequence retrieval exercise and group discussion

Weeks 4 and 5	Nucleic acid sequence analysis
		1. locating features in a genomic sequence;
		2. resources for genome structure prediction;
		3. evaluating the programs;
		4. genome annotation.
		Group work on the annotation of a genomic sequence

Weeks 6 and 7	Independent research and assessment

Weeks 8 and 9	Sequence alignment and database search
		1. use of BLAST and FASTA, choosing suitable options for a database 
search;
		2. interpretation of the results.

Weeks 10 and 11	Protein function prediction.
		1. multiple sequence alignment;
		2. prediction of :
			a) transmembrane helices;
			b) other hydrophobic regions;
			c) various signal sequences.
		3. use of the motif and profile databases;

Weeks 12 and 13	Protein structure prediction
		Practical exercise and group discussion
	
Weeks 14 to 16	Independent research and work on the second assessment

Additional information is available here : 
http://octette.cs.man.ac.uk/bioinformatics/modules/bs6061.html or from 
Heather.Vincent@manchester.ac.uk

From matt_immune from hotmail.com  Mon Sep  8 11:44:23 2008
From: matt_immune from hotmail.com (Flexo)
Date: Mon Sep  8 13:14:22 2008
Subject: [Immunology] Odd ELISA problem
Message-ID: <37b40555-beaa-48db-bf5d-32787e1e5d80@d77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com>

Hi,

I have an odd problem with a secretory IgA ELISA we are trying to get
working.   We are using a monoclonal capture antibody with a
polyclonal conjugate and TMB as the substrate.   If we plate a
constant amount of antigen (s-IgA) across the plate (Greiner, medium)
from 1 through 12 we find the OD decreases step by step with its
lowest point in column 12.   We are using an automated liquid handler
and have checked out every component (washer, incubators, pipettes
etc) and everything is working well.  We can reverse the effect by
getting the antigen pipetted backwards (right to left), so this
appears to nail it to this stage of the assay.   What I can't figure
out is what is causing this.  The only thing I can think of is that it
is linked to column 1 having the least exposure to air before the
antigen is added and c12 the most, which would make me think the
capture antibody is detiorating.   (We wash the plate immediately
before use and we currently don't block the plate but use 3% BSA and
tween in the diluents).    If anybody has seen something like this
before or has any idea what it is or what could fix it I'd appreciate
it!

Matt

---------------
Department of Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.