Learn molecular biology from renowned professors and industry leaders at the 2013 Smith College Molecular Biology Summer Workshops, sponsored by New England Biolabs

IPSWICH, Mass. and NORTHAMPTON, Mass., May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, Smith College is hosting the 28^th annual Molecular Biology Summer Workshops at the Ford Science Center in Northampton, MA.  In cooperation with New England Biolabs (NEB), a leader in the research and development of reagents for the life sciences, Smith College invites interested parties to learn molecular biology in this intensive workshop, set against the peaceful and picturesque backdrop of the Smith College campus and the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts.

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This two-week course offers an in-depth introduction to current molecular biology topics, such as DNA cloning, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, genomics, next generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics.  The course format is split equally between classroom lectures by molecular biology experts and hands-on laboratory instruction.  Covered laboratory techniques include: library construction, gene cloning and expression analysis, PCR, qRT-PCR, RNAi/siRNA, and microarrays.  No molecular biology experience is required or expected.  Each session's participants will be selected from a variety of related disciplines and academic backgrounds.  Previous attendees have included PIs, MDs, graduate students, scientific sales associates and equipment engineers. 

"This hands-on molecular biology lecture and laboratory course is the longest running and largest course for teaching molecular biology to professionals in the world.  Over the last 28 years we have taught molecular biology to over 3,500 participants, ranging in age from 19 to 82!" said Steve Williams, Gates Professor of Biological Sciences at Smith College and Director of the NIH Filarial Research Reagent Resource Center. "The unique design of the course ensures an amazing learning experience no matter the participant's starting level of education or knowledge in molecular biology." 

"An intense, fantastically well choreographed, life-transforming, joyous, hands-on course in experimental molecular biology taught by a deeply gifted teacher, Steve," said Rahul Sarpeshkar, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT and recent graduate of the summer course.  "I went from being a naive dry engineer and physicist who could barely pipette to a full-fledged molecular biologist running my own wet research lab at MIT because of this course. The time passed like a fantasy vacation."

Two 2-week sessions will be held this summer:
Session 1 – June 9 through June 22, 2013
Session 2 – July 7 through July 20, 2013
To apply, visit www.science.smith.edu/neb, email [email protected], or call 1(413)585-3915.

About New England Biolabs
New England Biolabs leads the industry in the discovery and production of enzymes for life science applications. Established in the mid-1970's, New England Biolabs now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research and continues to expand its product offerings into areas related to PCR, gene expression, cellular analysis, markers and ladders, competent cells and RNA analysis. New England Biolabs is a privately held company headquartered in Ipswich, MA, and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and five subsidiaries located in Canada, China, Germany, Japan and the UK.

SOURCE New England Biolabs