Genetic Engineering of Mammalian Stem Cells: Laboratory-based Course

This laboratory-based training course will provide a comprehensive overview and practical laboratory experience of the genetic manipulation of mammalian stem cells. Focusing on mouse ES and human iPS cells, recent advances in genome informatics, recombineering, custom nucleases (CRISPRs/TALENs), transposon technology and conditional gene targeting will be covered in lectures and through interactive demonstrations. Laboratory work includes the culture and transfection of ES cells, design and construction of gene targeting vectors by BAC recombineering, and the use of PiggyBac transposons and designer nucleases (CRISPRs/TALENs) for advanced genome engineering. Participants will be trained in the informatics and practical use of public gene targeting resources, including the production of mutant mice from the IKMC (International Knockout Mouse Consortium) resource. Emphasis is placed on the planning/design and successful experimental execution of gene targeting projects.

Course instructors:
Professor Francis Stewart (Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany)
Dr William Skarnes (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK)
Dr Pentao Liu (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK)
Dr Barry Rosen (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK)

Organization: Wellcome Trust

(Courtesy of stem cells, via newscientist.com)

Genetic Engineering of Mammalian Stem Cells