Department of Pharmacology of Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry is organising eighth national workshop on “Basic Techniques in Molecular Biology & Bio-informatics in Pharmacogenomics” from August 8 to 13 with Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry and Pondicherry University at college pharmacogenomics laboratory.

The main aim of the workshop is to provide training in basic molecular biology techniques required in pharmacogenetic studies, to impart web-based training in basic concepts of bio-informatics, to impart theoretical knowledge on some of the recently developed molecular biology tools and to create a knowledge base of elementary medical genetics towards carrying out pharmacogenetic and related research.

Dr C Adithan, organizing secretary, National Workshop on Pharmacogenomics, Department of Pharmacology, JIPMER said “We want  the students to learn new and advanced techniques of pharmacology, various clinical trials on DNA testing and we are organising the lectures which will give more information on the elements of medical genetics, Real time PCR, DNA sequencing, high throughput screening for detection of mutations, introduction to haplo analysis etc.”

Dr Adithan further informed that “JIPMER is already an ICMR Centre for Advance Research in Pharmacogenomics, and we are readily helping our students in research and imparting knowledge on various trials and new techniques to be a good pharmcogenomists in future.”

The workshop is mainly organised for beginners in molecular biology and bio-informatics, with a focus on ‘Pharmacogenomics.’ This workshop will be beneficial for the students with background in pharmacology.

The six day workshop will include practical demonstrations and hands-on training in molecular biology techniques such as DNA and RNA extraction, quality check and quantification of DNA and RNA, the polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), gel electrophoresis: horizontal and vertical, demonstrations of Real time-PCR and DNA sequencer.

The workshop will also include bioinformatics as a small part and it will include in locating the gene sequence of interest, identification of the PCR product, primer design, and selection of the restriction endonucleases.