Joint International Doctoral Course “Functional Architecture of the Cell Nucleus”

Its main purpose is to give doctoral students the possibility to learn about molecular biology from cutting-edge researchers from leading international research institutes. Doctoral students in biology or biology-related areas currently studying in graduate schools either in Sweden or Japan can participate. Students from Japanese universities can apply for participation now. The course will be held in an international environment with English as course language. This way, students can experience the atmosphere of the world-wide research community and make valuable contacts for their future research career.

Applicants are screened and accepted based on suitability and motivation. Participants who successfully pass the course examination will receive a certificate of completion. No tuition is required (the participants pay for their own daily expenses and accommodation if needed). To apply for participation in this special joint course, please click here and fill out the online application form no later than noon of October 18th, 2010 (JST). Notification emails to all the applicants will be sent on Monday, October 25th, 2010.

Tuition: No tuition. The participants pay for daily expenses and accommodation if needed.

Course content

The course covers the basic functional and structural components of the cell nucleus, focusing on their interaction in the context of cell growth and development. Topics include gene and genome function in a three dimensional context, chromatin structure and function, epigenetics, and the role of actin and myosin in gene regulation and genome organization. After the completed course, the doctoral student will be able explain, analyze and relate structure/function relationships in gene and genome function in the context of the three-dimensional architecture of the cell nucleus, from the nucleotide level through chromatin structure and to the overall structure of the nucleus.

More information can be found on the course website from Karolinska Institutet here.

Lecturers
Dr. Erik Arner
RIKEN Yokohama, Japan
Website: http://genome.gsc.riken.jp/osc/english/members/Erik_Arner.html

Dr. A. Maxwell Burroughs
RIKEN Yokohama, Japan
Website: http://genome.gsc.riken.jp/osc/english/members/Max_Burroughs.html

Dr. Carsten O. Daub
RIKEN Yokohama, Japan
Website: http://genome.gsc.riken.jp/osc/english/teams/LSABioinformatics.html

Dr. Masatoshi Hagiwara
Kyoto University, Japan
Website: http://www.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/E/grad_school/introduction/1102/index.html
Curriculum Vitae

Prof. Christer Höög
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
Website: http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=27086&a=23223&cid=27089&l=en
Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Hisao Masai
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science
Website: http://www.rinshoken.or.jp/CB/e-index.html
JP Website: http://www.rinshoken.or.jp/CB/index-jp.htm
Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Matti J. Nikkola
Karolinska Institutet Sweden
Website: http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=27086&a=28992&cid=27089&l=en

Dr. Piergiorgio Percipalle
Karolinska Institutet Sweden
Website: http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=27086&a=24134&cid=27089&l=en

Dr. Sara Sandin
Curriculum Vitae

Tentative program:
The schedule below is tentative and continuously updated.

Type of teaching

The learning activities are a mixture of lectures, discussions, computer practicals, group seminars and individual presentations. Participation in the group discussions and student presentations is mandatory.

Course examination

The students are examined with both group-wise and individual presentations in English. The students will work in small groups of 2-3 students. Each group will receive a scientific question related to the course topic on the first day of the course. Students are welcome to propose such a question for their own group. The content has to be related to the course topic. The scientific question will be answered and discussed by the students on the last day of the course during the course evaluation. Each group will be asked to make an oral presentation of the results and each student will present part of the results. The course lecturers will evaluate the performance of each of the students individually. Based on each students performance during he examination, it will be determined if the student pass the examination or not.

Students who successfully pass the examination will receive official certificates of completion from Karolinska Institutet. Special requirements for certificates from the students’ uversity can be considered. Please contact the course administration before the course if any such requirements exist.

Course directors
Dr. Matti J. Nikkola, Karolinska Institutet
Dr. Carsten O. Daub, RIKEN Yokohama Institute

Eligible applicants

Doctoral students (biology or biology related fields) currently enrolled in universities in Japan. Doctoral students enrolled at Universities outside Japan but working in Japanese research institutes can apply and are asked to clarify the details of their multiple affiliations in the application (what is the main location of their work? what is the nature of the association with the Japanese institute? etc.). The screening process for students from Swedish universities is already completed.

Number of participants and screening procedures

The maximum number of participants will be 30. Participants will be selected after screening of the application materials by course directors and OSC researchers involved in the course organization and teaching. The most important evaluation criterion is the statement of the motivation of attendance. Please explain why you are interested in participating, how the course relates to your current research and how your work will benefit from the course.

Application procedures

To apply for participation in this special joint course, please click here and fill out the online application form no later than noon of October 18th, 2010 (JST). Please note that we do not accept handwritten, postal or faxed applications. For further questions, please contact to [email protected] or fax to 045 503 9216. Notification emails to all the applicants will be sent on Monday, October 25th, 2010.

Accommodation

Each student must arrange and pay for accomodation and travel to the course if necessary. No commuting, travel or housing allowance will be paid. Below is a list of accommodation possibilities close to RIKEN Yokohama.

Contact

Cell 2010 Course Secretariat
Coordination Office
Omics Science Center
RIKEN Yokohama Institute
1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045 JAPAN
Tel: +81-(0)45-503-9434
Fax: +81-(0)45-503-9216
Email: [email protected] (application related issues)