After three years break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) Genomics Bootcamp is back. The four weeks-long boot camp, which is ACEGID’s flagship residential genomics workshop will now hold from August 14 to September 8, 2023 at the Redeemer’s University campus in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.
As with past editions, the boot camp will feature tracks for Foundation and Advanced learners:
The Foundation Genomics Training is a full-immersion residential program designed for top-performing African graduates, postdoctoral trainees, faculty members and laboratory technicians. The one-month training covers a curriculum of best laboratory practices, reinforced by intensive coursework and hands-on practical applications in Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Genomics, such as PCR, RFLP, qPCR, Sanger sequencing, biostatistics and immunology.
The Advanced Genomics Training is designed for trainees to have hands-on experience on Next Generation Sequencing using Illumina and/or Oxford Nanopore technologies. The training is particularly suitable for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members and public health scientists with direct access to the sequencing equipment and/or gone through the Foundational Genomics Training. Trainees will be exposed to qPCR, library preparation, and bioinformatics as well as tips on writing grants and manuscripts.
Course Contents
Foundation | Advanced |
· Lab Safety | · Lab Safety |
· DNA and RNA Extraction | · DNA and RNA Extraction |
· Principles and applications of PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, qRT-PCR | · PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, qRT-PCR |
· Mendelian Genetics & Meiosis | · Library Preparation |
· Mutations & their Detections | · Next Generation Sequencing |
· PCR Primer Design | · Bacterial Genomics: Microbiome Collection |
· Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) | · Viral Genomics |
· PCR product Purification & DNA Sequencing | · Metagenomic Studies |
· Sanger Sequencing | · Bioinformatics |
· Introduction to Bioinformatics | · Genome Sequence Analysis |
· Labs immunoassay diagnostics | · Phylogenetic Analysis for Tracking the Spread of Infectious Diseases |
· Human research subjects’ ethics | · Bioinformatics lab practice |
· Science Communication | · Science Communication |
· Grant and Manuscript writing | · Grant and Manuscript writing |
Symposium: Project Presentation
The boot camp will feature a capstone event. The symposium will connect stakeholders from across the infectious disease space with the common mission of transforming outbreak response, to share advances in surveillance, diagnostics, human and pathogen genomics and information systems. Trainees will deliver scientific talks and present their results at the symposium.
Social Events
We will host participants to social events that will avail them the opportunity to tour the university, Ede and Osogbo environs.
Course fees (covering workshop materials, training package, coffee break, lunch and accommodation):
Course Track | Local Participants (NGN) | Foreign Participants (USD) |
Foundation | 758,000 | 1,650 |
Advanced | 958,000 | 2,100 |
Target Number of Participants:
Foundation track: 40
Advanced track: 10
To Register:
Register by filling out this form. Selected candidates will be invited to pay the course fees.
Selection Criteria:
Foundation track: life sciences graduate, clinicians, research scientists and lab scientists or any other public health scientists working in a lab requiring the fundamentals of genomics.
Advanced track: individuals with demonstrated experience with foundational genomics, i.e. strong evidence of foundational genomics knowledge and having access to relevant facilities (equipment).
Important Timeline (Updated:
- July 21: Applications close
- July 26: Selected participants invited to pay course fees
- August 9: Deadline for payment of course fees
- August 14: Bootcamp starts
- September 8: Bootcamp ends
For Inquiries:
Please reach us via email (info.acegid@run.edu.ng) or WhatsApp (+234 806 556 1346).