Important Dates

Congress Dates : September 04 - 07, 2024
Congress Dates : to be announced
Courses

GENERAL INFORMATION OF COURSES

The courses will be held as five applied courses at Erciyes University Department of Biophysics and Experimental Research Application and Research Center (DEKAM) between 2-4 September 2024. A trainee can attend a maximum of two courses. Leaflets about the courses will be given to the participants. The course fee includes lunch for trainees.

Course Organizers

Prof. Dr. Bahar GÜNTEKİN, Istanbul Medipol University
Assoc. Dr. Fazile CANTÜRK TAN, Erciyes University
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güven AKÇAY, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University
Res. See. Dr. Sümeyye UÇAR, Erciyes University
Researcher Salih VAROL, Erciyes University
Ayşenur AKAN, Istanbul Medipol University
Kardelen TUR, Erciyes University
Emre TUFAN, Erciyes University
Dr. Mustafa ERMİŞ


Course 1: Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet Assay)
Number of Trainees: 7 People
Course Hours: 18 hours (4 hours theory and 14 hours practice)
Course Fee: 3000 TL
Course Location: Faculty of Medicine Biophysics AD research laboratory
Course Instructor:Assoc. Dr. Fazile CANTÜRK TAN
Researcher Salih VAROL
Kardelen TUR

Course Purpose: The main purpose of this course is to determine DNA damage/repair at the single cell level in blood, cell line and tissue samples.

Comet assay or single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) is a simple, inexpensive and rapid technique that can detect single and double strand breaks at the single cell level when DNA is denatured. This analysis was first developed by Ostling and Johansson in 1984 and later revised by Singh et al. DNA breaks can occur as a result of irradiation, toxic substances, or chemicals. This technique can be applied to many areas such as carcinogenesis, genotoxicity, radiotherapy, imaging of irradiated foods and environmental bioimaging and can be used in many research areas. Comet assay can be performed in vitro using single cells or in vivo for any tissue in a single cell suspension.

At the end of the course;

1.   Recognize general laboratory devices,
2.   Will be able to prepare the buffers required for analyses,
3.   Be able to isolate cells from blood and tissue,
4.   Be able to evaluate DNA damage/repair in vivo and in vitro,

02.09.2024 Monday
  • 8.30-9.30 DNA damage general theoretical knowledge
  • 9.30-9.45 Coffee Break
  • 9.45-10.45 Basic principles and application areas of the DNA comet analysis method
  • 10.45-11.00 Coffee Break
  • 11.00-12.00 Comet assay image analysis system
  • 12.00-13.00 Lunch
  • 13.00-15.00 Introduction of devices and chemicals, preparation of buffers
  • 15.00-17.00 Pre-coating of slides
03.09.2024 Tuesday
  • 8.30-10.30 Lymphocyte isolation from whole blood
  • 10.30-11.00 Isolation of samples from the Hela cell line
  • 11.00-12.00 Isolation of cells from rat tissue
  • 12.00-13.00 Lunch
  • 13.00-15.30 Coating of cells
  • 15.30-16.00 Lysis
  • 16.00-16.30 Electrophoresis
  • 16.30-17.00 Neutralization
04.09.2024 Wednesday
  • 8.30-9.30 Staining the slides
  • 9.30-11.00 Imaging and analysis
Course 2: Cell culture
Number of Trainees: 7 People
Course Hours: 16 hours (4 hours theory and 12 hours practice)
Course Fee: 5000 TL
Course Location: Faculty of Medicine Biophysics AD research laboratory
Course Instructor:Dr. Sümeyye UÇAR
Emre TUFAN

Course Purpose: To apply all the steps of basic cell culture techniques and to give participants general cell culture information that can be used in studies at the end of the course.

Tissue culture is a general term used for both organ culture, tissue explant cultures and cell culture. Tissue (cell) culture is the maintenance of tissues and cells under in vitro conditions using media outside the living organism. Although cell culture was first performed by Ross Harrison in 1907, developments took place after 1950 with various discoveries. Cell culture allows cells to be grown under control in a laboratory environment. This is important to obtain reproducible results in experiments and to have control over the cells. It also allows it to be subjected to various manipulations such as drug tests and other experimental interventions. This is useful for understanding the behavior, growth and differentiation of cells. Cell culture studies have an important place in the literature because they have various advantages.

At the end of the course;

1.   Recognize cell culture laboratory devices,
2.   Will be able to prepare cell culture medium,
3.   Be able to view and count cells under a microscope,
4.   Able to passage and freeze cells.
02.09.2024 Monday
  • 8.30-9.30 Cell culture and application areas of cell culture
  • 9.30-9.45 Coffee Break
  • 9.45-10.45 Medium preparation and cell thawing/freezing techniques
  • 10.45-11.00 Coffee Break
  • 11.00-12.00 Passaging and duplication techniques
  • 12.00-13.00 Lunch
  • 13.00-17.00 Preparation of chemicals/consumables to be used in cell culture and introduction of devices
03.09.2024 Salı
  • 8.30-10.30 Thawing cells and counting them on a thoma slide
  • 10.30-12.00 Cell medium preparation
  • 12.00-13.00 Lunch
  • 13.00-15.00 Planting the cells in the medium
  • 15.00-16.00 Viewing cells under a microscope
  • 16.00-17.00 Passaging and freezing of cells
Course 3: DNA and RNA isolation
Kursiyer Sayısı: 7 People
Course Hours: 14 hours (4 hours theory and 10 hours practice)
Course Fee: 5000 TL
Course Location: Faculty of Medicine Biophysics AD research laboratory
Course Instructor: Doç. Dr. Fazile CANTÜRK TAN

Course Purpose:The purpose of this course is to teach participants DNA and RNA isolation techniques and to emphasize the critical roles of these techniques in biotechnology and genetic research.

It forms the basis of DNA and RNA isolation, genetic analyses, gene expression studies, cDNA synthesis, RT-PCR and various molecular biology studies. Throughout the course, participants will learn how to perform high-quality DNA and RNA isolation from different biological samples (such as tissue, blood samples, plant and animal cells). This course is designed for students and researchers working in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and related fields. It aims to help participants gain competence in DNA and RNA isolation in a laboratory environment by providing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

At the end of the course;
Participants will have the knowledge and experience to safely apply basic techniques regarding high-quality DNA and RNA isolation and analysis.
02.09.2024 Monday
  • 8.30-9.30 DNA and RNA general theoretical knowledge
  • 9.30-9.45 Coffee Break
  • 9.45-10.45 DNA/RNA isolation
  • 10.45-11.00 Coffee Break
  • 11.00-12.00 Introducing the chemicals/consumables and devices to be used for DNA/RNA isolation
  • 12.00-13.00 Lunch
  • 13.00-15.00 Preparation of chemicals and buffers
03.09.2024 Tuesday
  • 8.30-10.00 Cell lysis and homogenization procedures for DNA isolation
  • 10.00-12.00 Cell lysis and removal of protein and other components for RNA isolation
  • 12.00-13.00 Lunch
  • 13.00-14.30 Removal of protein and other components
  • 14.00-15.30 DNA precipitation
    DNA purification and concentration determination
  • 15.30-17.00 RNA precipitation
    RNA purification and concentration determination
Course 4: Use of Stereotaxy in Experimental Animals
Kursiyer Sayısı: 10 People
Course Hours: 4 hours (2 hours theory and 2 hours practice)
Course Fee: 750 TL
Course Location: Experimental Research Application and Research Center (DEKAM)
Course Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güven AKÇAY, Dr. Mustafa ERMİŞ

Course Content:Diseases related to the body's nervous system are known as neurological diseases. Neurological diseases can affect all body systems because abnormalities in the electrical structure of the brain, spinal cord or nerves cause many problems. Neurological diseases are the second leading cause of death after heart diseases, and their incidence and prevalence are quite high worldwide. The complex structure of the central nervous system and complex signaling pathways make it difficult to understand the neurobiology and pathophysiology of diseases and also prevent the development of radical treatments for these diseases. Experimental studies play an important role in understanding the mechanisms of neurological diseases, preventing these diseases and applying effective treatment methods. Research using animal models plays a vital role in elucidating the mechanisms of these diseases and developing effective treatment strategies. Rodents (such as mice, rats, gerbils) and non-rodent mammals (such as dogs, rabbits, cats, pigs, chimpanzees) are used in researching a treatment method, developing new treatment protocols and discovering new drug molecules. Basic neuronal mechanisms of both normal and abnormal brain function are being investigated in animal models. In these studies, when creating a model or injecting drugs, operations are carried out according to the stereotaxic coordinates of the animals' brain atlas. Especially neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Epilepsy, Migraine, Parkinson's etc. Models such as these are made using stereotaxy. In this recommended course, the use of stereotaxy in determining stereotaxic coordinates (anteroposterior, lateral and vertical) from the brain atlas, reading the rat brain atlas, determining the stereotaxic coordinates of brain regions, injecting drugs into the brain, and taking electrophysiological recordings such as EEG and LTP will be explained theoretically and practically.

At the end of the course;

Participants will have the knowledge and experience to safely apply basic techniques regarding high-quality DNA and RNA isolation and analysis.
1.   Reading the rat/mouse brain atlas,
2.   Determining stereotaxic coordinates from the rat/mouse brain atlas and determining the coordinates,
3.   Placing electrodes/screws for electrophysiological recordings such as EEG and LTP,
4.   Injecting medication into the brain,
5.   It is aimed to teach how to create models such as such as Alzheimer's, epilepsy, migraine, Parkinson's etc. with stereotaxy chemical agents
03.09.2024 Tuesday
  • 13.00-15.00 Theoretical Information
  • 15.00-17.00 Stereotaxic applications
Course 5: EEG Signal Analysis Course
Number of Trainees: 30 People
Course Hours: 3 hours (1 hour theory and 2 hours practice)
Course Fee: 750 TL
Course Location: Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine Classrooms
Course Instructor: Prof. Dr. Bahar GÜNTEKİN
Ayşenur AKAN

Purpose of the Course: : In this course, general theoretical information about EEG resting state and EEG event-related oscillations will be explained, and then the basics of EEG analysis will be demonstrated practically in the computer environment.

Course Flow:

Theoretical: Prof. Dr. Bahar GÜNTEKİN

What is EEG, principles of EEG recording, EEG resting state activity, EEG Event-related Potentials, EEG Event-related Oscillations, Resting state activity in healthy people and in different pathologies, EEG event-related oscillations in healthy people and different pathologies, EEG Brain oscillations modulations, EEG Event-related Brain Examples of using oscillations in the study of cognitive processes

Practice: Ayşenur AKAN

1.       Introduction to EEG Analysis:
  • General information about EEG data and its importance.
  • Introduction to BrainVision Analyzer and EEGLAB Toolbox.
2.       Data Loading and Preprocessing:
  • Transferring raw EEG data to analysis programs.
  • Filtering and cleaning artifacts.
3.       Resting State Analysis:
  • Separating data into epochs.
  • Power spectral density (PSD) calculation.
  • Analyzing different frequency bands.
4.       Event Related Oscillations:
  • Identifying/selecting events/stimuli in EEG data.
  • Creating epochs around stimuli.
  • Performing time-frequency analysis.
5.       Statistical Analysis: (will only be mentioned)
  • Basic statistical methods.
6.       Visualization:
  • Visualizing EEG data and results.
  • Creating topographic maps.
Tools and Resources:
  • BrainVision Analyzer
  • EEGLAB Toolbox: Free MATLAB analysis tool for EEG analysis.
  • Trainings and Documentation: [EEG Lab trainings and documentation links]
04.09.2024 Wednesday
09.00-10.00 Theoretical knowledge
10.00-10.15 Coffee Break
10.15-12.00 Practical information