Nowgen’s Professional Training Programmes
16 Jun 2010
Courses for those working across genetic medicine and research disciplines
Nowgen, A Centre for Genetics in Healthcare, part of the NIHR Manchester BRC, runs an exciting programme of training courses for health professionals and academics working across genetic medicine and research disciplines.
Nowgen’s training programme covers a wide range of topics, including ethical and social aspects of genetic research, molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics.
In April and May, Nowgen delivered several courses, including:
- A course on the ethical review of genetic research studies by NHS Research Ethics Committees (RECs), in partnership with the National Research Ethics Service (NRES). Members of RECs were trained in basic genetic concepts, the difference between genetic research and Genetic clinical service and some of the key ethical issues raised by medical genetic research.
Dr Hugh Davies, from NRES, commented:
“NRES is delighted to be working with Nowgen to develop training in the ethical dimensions of genetics research for research ethics committee members. The review of genetics research obviously requires knowledge in this area, and Nowgen, with its recognised expertise in genetics and teaching, is ideally placed to provide this.”
- A successful course on bioinformatics for cytogeneticists and molecular geneticists, run in collaboration with the National Genetics Reference Laboratories in Manchester and Wessex and NW e-Health. This course updated delegates on key bioinformatics tools and databases such as Ensembl and DECIPHER.
- A course on microRNA and siRNA, delivered with Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies. This was a one-day introductory course for researchers to increase their understanding of this innovative area of molecular biology. Nowgen and Applied Biosystems are collaborating on another molecular biology course on Q-PCR to be held on 30 June-1 July 2010.
Nowgen has an expanding programme of courses and demand for new courses is continually assessed: a course on oncology pharmacogenetics is planned for later in 2010 along with a one day workshop on familial breast cancer.
All courses take place in The Nowgen Centre with its facilities for seminars and meetings, including Nowgen’s fully serviced teaching and demonstration laboratory. Courses often combine the use of the laboratory with other rooms that can accommodate between 10 and 80 people.
Dr Angela Davies, Nowgen’s Professional Training Manager, manages the training programmes with support from a wide range of course collaborators.
For information on Nowgen’s training programmes, please look at:
If you have any ideas for potential new courses, please contact:
- Angela Davies on 0161 276 3200