Principles of Molecular Microbiological Diagnostics

Course Objectives

The course provides an overview of the general principles of state-of-the-art molecular techniques for diagnosis of infectious diseases: Quantitative PCR, (Next-Generation) Sequencing and Mass Spectrometry. In addition, the course
educates participants on the set-up, validation and quality control of the different techniques and discusses the latest and upcoming developments in the field.

Wednesday, 5 March 2014
 

08:30 Welcome
09:00 Real-time PCR: the basics. Carl Wittwer

Applications of real-time PCR
09:30 Quantitative PCR. Eric Claas
10:00 Multiplex PCR to maximum. Kate Templeton
10:30 Coffee break
11:00 Gene expression profiling. To be announced
11:30 High Resolution Melting. Carl Wittwer
12:00 Digital PCR. To be announced
12:30 Lunch
13:30 PCR design & computer simulations. To be announced
14:00 PCR parameters for optimisation. To be announced
14:30 Troubleshooting for PCR. To be announced
15:00 Coffee break
15:30 Molecular detection of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. 
           Roel Nijhuis
16:00 Point of care detection systems. Bert Niesters
19:30 Welcome dinner
 

Thursday, 6 March 2014
 

09:00 Next-Generation Sequencing: the basics. To be announced

Applications of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
09:30 The use of pyrosequencing for typing and resistance. Rob Willems
10:00 Microbiome analysis. To be announced
10:30 Coffee break
11:00 Setup of NGS workflow. To be announced
11:30 Sample handling for NGS. John Penders
12:00 Troubleshooting NGS workflow. John Rossen
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Advanced PCR detection: possibilities. Paul Savelkoul
14:00 Application of micro-arrays. To be announced
14:30 Broad Spectrum PCR for clinical diagnostics. Martin Altwegg
15:00 Coffee break
15:30 Mass Spectrometry: the basics (types and principles). To be announced
16:00 Applications of Mass Spectrometry in medical microbiology. Hans Kusters
 

Friday, 7 March 2014
 

09:00 DNA / RNA isolation & sample processing. Petra Wolffs
09:30 One-assay approach and principles of CE-IVD (in vitro diagnostics).                         Margareta Ieven
10:00 Quality assurance (internal/external). Anton van Loon
10:30 Coffee break
11:00 Guidelines molecular diagnostics. Marijke Raymaekers
11:30 Molecular diagnostics: when to use and when not to use. 
           Jacob Moran-Gilad
12:00 The future developments in molecular diagnostics. Paul Savelkoul
13:00 Closing lunch & presentation of new equipment by companies

Attendance Grants

ESCMID provides a number of attendance grants for ESCMID “young scientist members”. The grant covers the registration fee, but not accommodation or travel costs. Please apply via the link provided on the right before 8 January 2014. Applicants will be informed about their acceptance by 22 January 2014.

Please note that attendance grant application does not include registration for the course.

Accommodation

A preliminary reservation for a number of hotel rooms has been made. Participants can book their own room for the special price of EUR 103.05 per night. Please mention “ESCMID Course” in the booking. Booking is necessary before 5 February 2014.

The address can be found below:

Hotel Van der Valk
Nijverheidsweg 35
6227 AL Maastricht
The Netherlands
Phone  +31 43 38 73 500
Fax +31 43 38 73 515