2009 Statistical Genetics Short Course

featuring Mendel software

What:

This five full-day intensive course will cover state-of-the-art statistical genetics methods for detection of genetic loci for complex traits, either qualitative or quantitative. Each day will include hands-on computer exercises using statistical genetics computer programs, especially the Mendel software package. We will cover the general theory behind the methods as well as emphasize the practical aspects needed to give the best chances of success.

Topics will include:

• Statistical primers
• Genetic Study Design
• Quality Control and other data issues
• Haplotyping
• Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative Traits including:
  • Parametric and Non-Parametric Linkage analysis
  • Methods for Large Pedigrees
  • Association Testing:
    • Family-based
    • Case/Control
    • Genome-Wide Studies (GWAS)
• Copy Number Variation (CNV)
• Ethnic Admixture Analysis
• Other Recent Advances

Participants in the Course need no prior experience with these methods or programs, but should be "computer literate".

Participants will be required to bring a laptop computer to run the analysis exercises. Please see below for the minimum computer system requirements.

When:

Monday, 24 August 2009 - Friday, 28 August 2009

(Check-in is after 4 PM on Sunday, 23 August and check-out by 11 AM on Saturday, 29 August.)

We will also organize some optional extra-curricular events, e.g., a trip to the Getty Art Museum.

Who:

The Course is designed to assist people who are actively studying the genetics of complex traits. The Course will cover both theoretical and practical gene mapping issues and will stress the interpretation of results.

The Course instructors will be faculty from the UCLA Department of Human Genetics:

1. Kenneth Lange
2. Rita Cantor
3. Steve Horvath
4. Jeanette Papp
5. Janet Sinsheimer
6. Eric Sobel

Where:

DeNeve Plaza at UCLA, Los Angeles CA

Room (single occupancy) and board (cafeteria-style) will be provided in this newly built conference facility.

How:

To apply send the following items (in a text, Word, or PDF document) to statgene@mednet.ucla.edu :

1. Your résumé (with current position and contact information).
2. A short description of the statistical genetics projects you are or will be working on (particularly the amount and type of data involved).
3. If you are a student, a letter of recommendation from your main faculty advisor.

Price including room (single occupancy) and board (cafeteria-style) from dinner on 23 August through lunch on 29 August, but not including any transportation costs:

For students from non-profit institutions:	$1100
For others from non-profit institutions:	$1600
For people from for-profit institutions:	$2600
For UCLA staff and students, includes all meals but no housing:	$ 700

Deadline for application is 1 Aug 2009. Notice of acceptance or denial will be sent out no later than one week after application submission. Full payment is required no later than 9 Aug 2009.

Enrollment is strictly limited to 35 participants.

Laptop Requirements:

Participants will be required to bring a laptop computer on which to run the analysis exercises. This laptop must meet the following minimum system requirements.

256 MB RAM
200 MB available storage space (i.e., free hard disk space)
CD-ROM
USB
Windows (2K, XP, or Vista) or MacOS (10.4 or later, PPC or Intel) or Linux (Red Hat 7.3 or later, or equivalent)