Location

2008 EMBO World Practical Course: "Advanced Methods in Reconstructing
Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships" March 3 to 9, 2008, Botanical
Garden, Rio de Janeiro

What the course is about
The use of phylogenetic methods to reconstruct the evolutionary history of
molecular sequences is a vital part of biological research. Such methods
underpin studies on the evolution and epidemiology of plant and animal
parasites and disease-causing organisms, they are needed to understand the
contrasting roles of vertical and horizontal inheritance in genome
evolution, and more generally they allow an objective analysis of the
patterns and processes generating biological diversity. To carry out
phylogenetic analysis properly, it is necessary to have a good
understanding of the strengths and weaknesses, principles and applications
of the key methods and approaches.
The past few years have seen have an explosion in new methods of analysis
including the application of Bayesian analysis methods in phylogeny
reconstruction, the development of improved non-homogeneous models that
much better represent the dynamics of sequence evolution, and the
development of methods for high-throughput genome-wide analyses. This
course has been designed to cater for these newest of methods and for
understanding how they relate to the more traditional methods. We also
address the strengths and weaknesses of all kinds of approach. Our goal is
to teach technical sophistication without losing sight of the need for a
critical attitude to data and analyses.

The web page for the 2006 course (http://bioinf.ncl.ac.uk/molsys/)
provides more information on content, but please be aware that both course
and webpage are likely to be updated for the 2008 course.

Applying to come on the course
>From past experience we expect that demand will outstrip the availability
of places – which we limit to around 25 students. EMBO also require that
we have a gender and nationality balance on the course. We also try to
ensure a mix of experience and biological backgrounds from the students
who attend.

EMBO covers the costs of student accommodation and communal meals for the
duration of the course only. It does not cover the cost of your travel to
Rio. There may be some monies to help to cover the travel costs to
Brazil of up to three students from outside of Western Europe and North
America.

To apply please send a one page cover letter detailing why you wish to
attend the course and what you hope to get out of it. Also send a two
page CV giving details of your experience and any presentations or
publications. Send your application by email to Martin.Embley [at] ncl.ac.uk to
arrive by the closing date of January 1st 2008.