EMBO Practical course: iCLIP: genomic views of protein-RNA interactions

Throughout its life cycle, each RNA will interact dynamically with numerous RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that determine how the RNA is processed, where it is localized, whether it is translated and finally how it is degraded. In turn, RBPs can interact with hundreds to thousands of cellular RNAs by recognizing certain sequence motifs or structural elements. Understanding these interactions in a genome-wide manner is crucial for gaining a complete picture of an RBP’s specificity and function.

Individual-nucleotide resolution UV crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) has established itself as a leading method to map the RNA interaction sites of a single RBP-of-interest with high resolution and in a quantitative manner. The major objective of this EMBO Practical Course is to disseminate the knowledge and proficiency in this technically challenging ribonomics method. We will guide the participants through the complete protocol, placing special emphasis on critical optimisation steps and controls. We will further discuss the bioinformatics strategies for analysis of iCLIP data. The hands-on sessions in the laboratory will be complemented by presentations by established scientists that will share their experience on using iCLIP to answer different biological questions.

Organizer

• Elias Bechara, CRG, Spain

Co-organizers

• Julian König, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Germany
• Michaela Müller-McNicoll, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
• Christopher Sibley, Imperial College London, UK
• Kathi Zarnack, Buchmann Instituite for Molecular Life Science (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany

Speakers & Instructors

• Fatima Gebauer, CRG, Spain
• Matthias Hentze, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany
• Maria do Carmo-Fonseca, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
• Juan Valcarcel, CRG, Spain
• Julian König, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Germany
• Kathi Zarnack, Buchmann Instituite for Molecular Life Science (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
• Anke Busch, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Germany
• Stefanie Ebersberger, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
• Michaela Müller-McNicoll, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
• Christopher Sibley, Imperial College London, UK
• Elias Bechara, CRG, Spain

To see full programme of the course click HERE.

Registration

To register HERE.

Abstract Submission & Abstract deadline 1st March 2018

Chosen Participants Will Be Notified By 9th March 2018

Payment Deadline 29th March 2018

Payment

Selected participants will received an email with a link to make the payment no later than 09 March 2018.

Selection criteria

The course is limited to 18 participants, which will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Participants should have experience in experimental RNA biology.
• The course content should be relevant to their research, ie. participants should be likely to use e.g. iCLIP or a related technologies (Hits-CLIP, PAR-CLIP, ribosome profiling) as part of their project in the near future.
• We will prioritise applications from junior researchers at the PhD and early postdoc stage.

Only complete applications will be considered. Applications will be evaluated and selected by the organisers based on suitability for the course. Selected participants will be contacted by e-mail by 9 March, 2018. If positions remain open future rounds of selection will be performed, therefore you might be notified later.

For participants that already started with their own iCLIP experiments at home, it will be possible to bring their own samples under certain conditions. If you are interested in this option, please contact [email protected] for more details.

Abstract guidelines

Applicants are required to provide the following information:

• a statement of motivation (max. 2000 characters including spaces)
  1. include your relevant skills, experience and qualifications which show that you would be suitable for the practical course.
  2. explain why you would like to attend, including what you can contribute and how you think you will benefit from the practical course.
• an abstract of your current research (max. 1500 characters including spaces),
• and a concise CV

Poster specifications

The course includes several poster sessions in which participants will explain their research projects. Each participant will be provided with a A0 poster board on which to display the poster.

The poster board surface area is aprox. 90 cm wide and 120 cm high. This is a portrait/vertical format. Materials should be printed on thin poster paper or cardboard, anything heavier will not stay in position. You will be provided with velcro tabs and pins for use in adhering your poster to the board. All participants will present their poster.

Travel grants

A limited number of travel grants are available for eligible participants. Applicants do not need to apply separately for travel grants for this event but should indicate on the registration form if they wish to be considered for a travel grant. Selection of awardees is handled directly by the organizer who will notify all eligible participants. More information is available at EMBO Travel Grants' page.

Additional information

Participants will be provided accommodation in double shared rooms with other participants in the course (the organizers will prepare the rooming list based on gender).