Cluster of webinars on MicroRNAs
Danish Diabetes Academy is committed to providing new ways of mediating knowledge and as many universities are offering more and more distant learning opportunities in terms of e.g. short online introductory courses using Adobe Connect, we have decided to follow suit. Accordingly, we are offering a series of webinars divided into clusters of certain topics, in this case MicroRNAs.
ORGANISERS
This series of webinars are organised by the Danish Diabetes Academy in collaboration with our Visiting Professors Ari Meerson and Anand Hardikar.
TOPICS
The following topics will be covered during a series of four 40 minute sessions, of which 30 minutes are dedicated to the lecture and 10 minutes for answering questions.
| Date and time | Topic | Speaker |
| 21-06-17, 11:00-11:40 AM (CET) | MicroRNAs link obesity and cancer | Ari Meerson |
| 22-06-17, 11:00-11:40 AM (CET) | MicroRNA quantification | Ari Meerson |
| 06-07-17, 11:00-11:40 AM (CET) | Primer on molecular biomarkers in diabetes | Anand Hardikar |
| 07-07-17, 11:00-11:40 AM (CET) | Understanding a bug’s life in the fat land | Anand Hardikar |
CONTENT
Below you can see a short description of each webinar.
MICRORNAS LINK OBESITY AND CANCER
by Dr. Ari Meerson, MIGAL Galilee Research Institute, Israel
Chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and cancer, are leading health problems in developed countries. The broadly correlated risk of these diseases suggests that their pathologies involve similar molecular mechanisms. Several microRNAs are implicated in metabolic dysfunction and also have established roles as oncogenes or tumor suppressors.
Our goal was to identify cancer-relevant microRNAs that 1) respond to metabolic hormone signaling in cultured cells or 2) show altered levels in obese human subjects, and to explore their biological functions, downstream targets and upstream regulation. Three projects in my lab (2 published and 1 ongoing) will be discussed.
MICRORNA QUANTIFICATION
by Dr. Ari Meerson, MIGAL Galilee Research Institute, Israel
The interest in microRNAs as biomarkers and regulators of gene expression has led to a rapid growth in the number of available quantification methods and platforms. This webinar will highlight the various approaches that have been developed, and the following analytical stages will be addressed:
- Isolation of microRNAs, including from biofluids
- Hypothesis-free miRnome profiling, and the bioinformatic tools useful in the analysis of results
- Quantification of specific microRNAs, including considerations of throughput and cost
- Localization and dynamics of microRNA expression My hope is that this overview will provide pointers for researchers who are new to the microRNA field
PRIMER ON MOLECULAR BIOMARKERS IN DIABETES
by Associate Professor Anand Hardikar, The University of Sydney, Australia
Recent years have witnessed growing interest in discovering novel biomarkers of disease progression. The aim of this webinar is to discuss i) the need for developing new biomarkers in diabetes, ii) the possible approaches to developing microRNA/mRNA-based signatures of disease progression, iii) methodologies for identifying the appropriate platform for assessment and iv) assay designing and validating molecular signature(s).
UNDERSTANDING A BUG'S LIFE IN THE FAT LAND
by Associate Professor Anand Hardikar, The University of Sydney, Australia
Microbiota residing in/on our bodies are 10-times more than the total number of cells in our body. The fact that 90% of the cells in our body are bugs makes one think about the potential impact these may have on human physiology. I will review research in this field and discuss some of the advantages and limitations of some procedures associated with microbiome studies. I will also discuss the potential role of gut biota as well as microRNAs in the epigenetic regulation of insulin gene expression. This webinar is aimed to help new researchers/students gain a better understanding of the field and develop methodologies to address the role of gut biota in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
All interested are welcome to attend but registration is required (see below).
REGISTRATION
In order to participate in one or more of the stated webinars, you need to submit a registration using the "sign-up to event" button above. If you missed the registration deadline, please send a e-mail to kristine.michailidis@rsyd.dk, who can provide you with a link to the meeting room and a user guide.
On the day before the given webinar, attendees will receive a link via e-mail to an online Adobe Connect meeting room, where you will be able to write questions in the chat window, raise hand, repsond to polls (if any) and download files.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information about the webinars please contact:
Education Manager Kristine Melgaard Michailidis, kristine.michailidis@rsyd.dk