Quantitative methods in plant breeding

Cambridge, United Kingdom (April 07-18, 2008)

The two week postgraduate level course is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK. It will focus on statistics, computation and data handling, molecular genetics,population genetics, quantitative genetics, linkage analysis, association mapping and marker assisted selection.  

It has been designed for plant breeders and plant geneticists who have some background knowledge of statistics and quantitative genetics, but who wish to understand and be able to apply these methods more thoroughly, as well as postgraduate students working on the detection and analysis of gene(s) controlling the inheritance of complex traits.

The course is limited to 20 participants and will be held at NIAB's site in Cambridge between 7-18 April. It will be led by Statistical Geneticist, Dr Ian Mackay. He said: "Training in plant breeding has all but vanished in the UK. NIAB has the facilities and expertise covering may aspects of plant breeding and is developing breeding programmes in a range of crops It is therefore ideally placed to reintroduce this training and education. This short course is unique in providing intensive training in the quantitative methods which underpin many aspects of traditional and modern plant breeding."

The course content:

methods in quantitative genetics and statistics, variety trial design and analysis, linkage disequilibrium mapping Emphasis will be on practical application of methods to breeding programmes with theory covered in sufficient depth to allow confident evaluation and application of methods to plant breeding programmes. The course will provide an opportunity for practical plant breeders to become familiar with the concepts and utilization of contemporary software to detect genetic linkage between markers and traits, enhancing understanding of association genetics approaches to better understand germplasm dynamics.

The cost of the course is postgraduate student, £1,108; academic, £1,508; and industry, £2,008. Accommodation at a nearby college can be arranged. NIAB also has five £300 bursaries to offer students taking the course, plus an accommodation package.

More: http://www.niab.com/courses/quantitative-course.html