Workshop on Predictive Toxicology – PCR technique for Clinical Researchers on 15 & 16 Nov. 2018. The two days of hands-on workshop on “PCR techniques for clinical Researchers” was organized by the Centre for Animal Research.
Nipuna – Biomedical Research skill development program and hosted by Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV) as a part of the International conference on “The Role of toxicology in public Health” preconference module. A total of 12 participants were enrolled for the hands-on training, among them 8 were faculties and 4 were post-graduate students.
The Facilitators of the workshop were Dr. Balanehru Subramanian, Director, CIDRF & Organizing Secretary, STOX2018 and Dr. Rajkumar, Co-ordinator, Hands-on Workshop. Dr. Uma Rao, Head, Principal Scientist, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi was invited as the external resource person for the program.
On day 1 (15-11-18), the workshop was started with a pre-evaluation test for the participants with 20 basic objective type questions on PCR. After the pre-evaluation test, workshop manual was given to the participants followed by a brief introduction about the purpose and objectives of the workshop by Dr. Balanehru Subramanian, Director, CIDR. Further, Dr. Balanehru introduced Dr. Uma Rao to the participants and asked her to take over the session. Dr. Uma Rao introduced the basics of PCR to the participant by delivering a lecture on “PCR workshop – Principle and applications”. During the presentation, Dr. Uma Rao explained the basics of DNA replication, PCR and its components, steps of PCR, gel electrophoresis and the application of PCR. The hands-on training on PCR techniques was given to the participants followed by Dr. Uma Rao’s presentation at CAReTS, CIDRF.
The hands-on training session was given to the participants in groups. Based on the interest of the participants, hands-on training on DNA isolation from bacterial, fungi, human buccal wash, and human blood samples was given and analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis. The participants were also given hands-on training and tips on primer reconstitution during the session. In the afternoon session, the participants were given a task to identify the presence of bacteria/fungi in the DNA sample isolated by them using PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. Day 1 training session was closed after analyzing the results and interpretation.
On Day 2 (16-11-18), the hands-on training to the participants was started with the isolation of RNA from a rat tissue sample. Hands-on training on setting up PCR for gene expression studies using real-time PCR was given to the participants. Further, real-time PCR result analysis and interpretations were explained to the participants. In the afternoon session, a panel discussion was arranged for the participants with Dr. Uma Rao, External Resource person in the presence of Dr. S.C. Parija, Vice-Chancellor, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth and Dr. Balanehru Subramanian, Director, CIDRF. The participants clarified their doubt and inquired about the requirements they need for incorporating PCR in their research Project during the discussion. After the panel discussion, the participants were given training on PCR primer designing using in silico tools. The two days of hands-on training on the PCR techniques was closed after giving a post-evaluation test to the participants with the set of 20 objective type questions given during the pre-evaluation test.
]]>