Workshop on Molecular Evolution
The Workshop on Molecular Evolution has been the finest course on the subject since first offered in 1988 in Woods Hole, USA. The Workshop consists of a series of lectures, demonstrations and computer laboratories that cover various aspects of molecular evolution. Faculty are chosen exclusively for their effectiveness in teaching theory and practice in molecular evolution. Included among the faculty are developers and other experts in the use of computer programs and packages such as BLAST, BEAST, Clustal W and Clustal X, FASTA, FigTree, GARLI, Genealogical Sorting Index, LAMARC, MAFFT, Migrate-n, MrBayes, PAML, PAUP*, and SeaView who provide demonstrations and consultations. The course is designed for established investigators, postdoctoral scholars, and advanced graduate students with prior experience in molecular evolution and related fields. Scientists with strong interests in molecular evolution, phylogenetics, population genetics, and related fields are encouraged to apply for admission. Lectures and computer laboratories total ~90 hours of scheduled instruction. An optional all-computer laboratory of 54+ hours of independent work with guidance and consultation of some faculty and teaching assistants is offered during the third week. Admission is limited and highly competitive, with admissions decisions determined by an international committee. Participants find the individual research session to be especially useful.
Topics to be covered include:
- Databases and sequence matching: database searching: protein sequence versus protein structure; homology; mathematical, statistical, and theoretical aspects of sequence database searches
- Phylogenetic analysis: theoretical, mathematical and statistical bases; sampling properties of sequence data; Bayesian analysis; hypothesis testing
- Maximum likelihood theory and practice in phylogenetics and population genetics: coalescent theory; maximum likelihood estimation of population genetic parameters
- Molecular evolution integrated at organism and higher levels: population biology; biogeography; ecology; systematics and conservation
- Molecular evolution and development: gene duplication and divergence; gene family organization; coordinated expression in evolution
- Comparative genomics: genome content; genome structure; genome evolution
- Molecular evolution integrated at lower levels: biochemistry; cell biology; physiology; relationship of genotype to phenotype
Workshop on Molecular Evolution, Woods Hole
MBL, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA |
25 July - 6 August 2010, individual research session 6 - 13 August 2010
Application Deadline: 1 March 2010 |
Michael P. Cummings, Director
The MBL is situated in the village of Woods Hole on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a very charming coastal setting with views of Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. The lectures will be held in the Speck Auditorium. The computer laboratories will be held in the recently renovated (finished 2010) Loeb Building, which has a space specifically designed for computer-based instruction.
2010 Fees: 2650 USD (room and board at no additional charge), plus an additional 1000 USD for the highly recommended, but optional, third week of all-computer laboratory for work on your own data with guidance and consultation of some faculty and teaching assistants. Fees also include the opening reception and mid-course dinner. There is no external funding for the course, and it is entirely funded by course fees. Therefore we are unable to offer support. Most participants pay the fee from sources coming from their lab, their department, their institution, or some external source.
Workshop on Molecular Evolution, Europe
 Český Krumlov, Czech Republic |
10 - 22 January 2010, individual research session 22 - 29 January 2010
Application Deadline: 1 October 2009 Application Form | Housing information for participants | Schedule |
Michael P. Cummings and Scott A. Handley, Co-Directors, and
Naiara Rodríguez-Ezpeleta, Associate Director
Český Krumlov, is situated on the banks of the Vltava (Moldau) River in Jihočeský kraj, Česká republika (South Bohemia, Czech Republic) and is considered one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe (see history of the town). The central region of town is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lectures will be held in the Town Theater, which is traditionally styled, but modernly equipped. The computer laboratories will be in the House of Prelate, which dates to the 14th century, with design befitting its heritage.
2010 Fee: 1800 USD, plus an additional 750 USD for the highly recommended, but optional, third week of all-computer laboratory for work on your own data with guidance and consultation of some faculty and teaching assistants. Fees include the opening reception and mid-course dinner, but do not include other meals or housing. Special discounted pricing has been arranged for hotels, pensions and hostels. There is no external funding for the course, and it is entirely funded by course fees. Therefore we are unable to offer support. Most participants pay the fee from sources coming from their lab, their department, their institution, or some external source.
