Introduction to molecular lab fundamentals 2025

Are you (or your student) new to molecular lab work? Could you (or they) benefit from an introduction to operating in a genetics lab?

The ANU EcoGenomics Lab (EBL) is offering a 3-day basic introduction course to molecular lab fundamentals for new honours and PhD students (and others) who don’t have a strong genetics/molecular undergrad or background*.

If you are interested in attending the workshop, please fill in the Expression of Interest form by 4 April 2024. The workshop is free (but $100 will be charged for no-show without reasonable notice/explanation).

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Schedule 

Day 1 - Tue 6 May

  • Introduction to lab operations:
    • PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
    • Molarity and how to make a chemical solution
    • Good pipetting practice
    • Introduction to agarose gels
  • DNA Extraction Method 1: Silica column-based kit

Day 2 - Wed 7 May

  • DNA Extraction Method 2: Phenol / Chloroform DNA Quantitation
    1. Qubit fluorometer
    2. Nanodrop spectrophotometer
  • Run agarose gels: both DNA extraction methods (time permitting)

Day 3 - Thu 8 May

  • PCR Amplification: Master Mixes, enzymes, reactions generally
  • Introduction to Real-time PCR (qPCR)
  • Run agarose gels: PCRs (+ DNA extractions if not done already)
  • Introduction to SPRI bead clean-ups (Ampure)

*Please note: This introductory course is NOT designed for those students who are doing a predominantly molecular project and have had molecular/genetics lab training at undergrad level, but rather students who have a more ecological/morphological background and are either new to genetics or who have a small genetic component to their project.

We welcome requests for more advanced bespoke experimental and/or training requirements throughout the year. Please contact Niccy Aitken for more information.

Updated:  28 March 2025/Responsible Officer:  Web Services/Page Contact:  Web Services