Genetic Analysis for Population Studies

A National Workshop for graduate students and other scientists to be held at the
Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, July 2009

A course offered by Professor Rod Peakall (ANU)
and Professor Peter Smouse (Rutgers University, USA)

THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL - YOU MAY STILL APPLY AND YOU WILL BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST, HOWEVER YOU WILL ONLY BE OFFERED A PLACE IF ONE BECOMES AVAILABLE THROUGH A CANCELLATION

We are pleased to announce the 5th workshop in this series on analytical methods for the analysis of population genetic patterns. The course covers a wide range of standard and new statistical procedures for the population analysis of single-locus codominant markers (e.g. microsatellites and SNPs), multiple-locus dominant markers (e.g. AFLPs), and haploid markers (e.g. mtDNA and cpDNA sequences). The course will employ a combination of mini-lectures, tutorials and computer based practical sessions and is designed to ensure that students fully understand the procedures involved.   For many of the analyses, students will learn to calculate the various statistics by hand, before attempting the self-paced, computer-based tutorial examples, pursuing further understanding and interpretation of the results. Lectures, with examples drawn from a wide range of organisms, will illustrate both statistical analyses and biological interpretations of real data sets.

For those new to the field of population genetics and molecular markers, an optional two day course will be offered on Friday July 10 and Saturday July 11. Topics covered on this day will include: (1) An overview of the laboratory methods for the genetic analysis of natural populations. (2) Interpretation and scoring of genetic markers. (3) Allele frequency-based analyses of genetic variation within and among populations include Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium testing, F -statistics and Nei Genetic Distance. An understanding of these concepts will be assumed for all participants attending the remainder of the workshop.

The main workshop will commence on Monday, July 13, and will run through Friday, July 17. Topics to be covered will include: (1) genetic distance metrics and distance matrices, as used in population analysis; (2) procedures for exploring population genetic patterns, including analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), Mantel tests and principal coordinates procedures; (3) spatial-autocorrelation methods for micro-spatial genetic structure analysis; (4) assignment tests for determining the genetic origins of individuals; and (5) principles for good experimental design and sampling strategies. If there is sufficient interest, an optional evening session will enable participants the opportunity to explore their own data sets.

Similar courses were offered in 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2006. This new version is being offered, because of the popularity of the previous courses and in response to continuing requests for another offering. As the tutorial sessions involve considerable 'hands-on' computer-aided analysis of real data sets, under the active guidance of the instructors, the number of places available is strictly limited. All students are required to bring a laptop computer. Advice on compatible software and operating systems will be provided in due course.

ABOUT THE SOFTWARE
The course will utilize the popular and award winning software package GenAlEx (Genetic Analysis in Excel). This software package was initially developed by the authors for teaching purposes, but now also offers a range of advanced features for research (Peakall and Smouse 2006). The software is widely used for undergraduate and graduate teaching in Australia, North America, South America and Europe, and by researchers in more than 60 different countries around the world.

PROGRAM AND TIMING
Wednesday afternoon, July 15 will be free time, within the middle of the workshop.   Previous experience suggests this will provide a much needed break for participants (and contributors) and provides the opportunity for interstate visitors to explore the national capital or its surrounding national parks.

ABOUT THE LECTURERS
Rod Peakall is a Professor in Evolutionary Biology in the School of Biology at The Australian National University. His research integrates ecological, molecular and statistical tools to address evolutionary questions, using a range of genetic markers, including AFLPs, microsatellites, SNPs, mtDNA and cpDNA sequences. In plants, his team studies sympatric speciation in orchids, clonality, and fine-scale genetic structure of populations, and has also developed molecular tools for botanical forensics. In small mammals and birds, genetic studies have been used to quantify dispersal in fragmented landscapes and explore the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation. Professor Peakall has previously offered similar workshops in Australia, Finland and USA.

Peter Smouse is a Professor in Theoretical & Applied Genetics in the Department of Ecology & Natural Resources at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA. As a theoretical and statistical population geneticist, he has worked on both theoretical and empirical aspects of population genetic analysis in a wide variety of organisms, including forest trees, agronomic crops, bacteria, marine and freshwater fish, insects, and humans. His current research interests are centered on the analysis of plant mating systems and of propagule flow across anthropogenically altered landscapes. Professor Smouse has previously offered similar workshops in Australia, USA, Argentina and Israel.

WHY OFFER THIS WORKSHOP?
Course evaluations from our previous Australian workshops have revealed that more than 90% of the participants would strongly recommend the course if it were offered again.   In the words of one participant: 'This course provides a much needed analysis of basic issues in population genetics.   It fills a genuine void.   Perhaps this workshop is essential for most graduate students?' Another participant wrote: 'I learnt heaps!   All wonderfully taught in lectures and tutorials at a great pace.   Thanks also for some new project inspiration.   I've got to run back to my lab now ... so I can get to the fun bit - data analysis (which I was dreading only last week).   Now I am ready for it!   Thanks!'

The workshop is open to graduate students, and to other interested persons.

COST including GST (if pre-paid by May 31)

Optional Introductory 2 Day Workshop (July 10 to 11)

ANU Graduate students-$100
Other Graduate students-$200
Others-$400
(includes light lunches)

Main Workshop (July 13 to 17)

ANU Graduate Students-$250
Other Graduate students-$500
Others-$1000
(includes light lunches Mon, Tues, Thu & Fri)

All Workshops as Package

ANU Graduate Students-$320
Other Graduate students-$640
Others-$1260

A LATE FEE OF $100 APPLIES TO ALL PAYMENTS MADE AFTER May 31

This Workshop is sponsored by the Australian National University. Applications will be processed in order of receipt. Places are limited, and application does not guarantee a place. Successful applicants will be notified of a placing soon after receipt of their application.  

To register for this workshop please complete the registration form

The notional deadline for applications is April 30, 2009. However, as for previous workshops, applications will close once all places are filled.

1 Awarded an Australian National University 'Prize for Innovation in IT Application' in 2005. The paper describing this software (see below) has also been recognized by ISI as a "Hot New Paper" in the field of Environment/Ecology see:

http://www.esi-topics.com/nhp/2007/july-07-Peakall_Smouse.html

Peakall, R., and Smouse, P.E. (2006) GenAlEx 6: Genetic Analysis in Excel. Population genetic software for teaching and research. Molecular Ecology Notes 6, 288-295.