Epigenetics Boot Camp: Planning and Analyzing DNA Methylation Studies

BOOT CAMP OVERVIEW

Summer 2019 dates: June 10-11, 2019; 8:30am – 5:30pm

This two-day intensive boot camp integrates the principle concepts of epigenetics and the effects of risk factors on the epigenome as we step through the key components of designing and executing DNA methylation studies. Led by a team of scientists with more than 36 years of combined expertise in the field of environmental epigenetics, the workshop will integrate seminar lectures with hands-on computer sessions to put concepts into practice. Emphasis will be given to leveraging existing resources from ongoing studies and initiating new investigations. The afternoon lab sessions will provide an opportunity to work hands-on with real methylation data generated by the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC (850k) BeadChip platform. Participants will learn and practice data handling, cleaning, and basic analysis of epigenome-wide DNA methylation data.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be familiar with the following topics:

• Principles of epigenetics
• Concept ideation and study design
• Sample collection and processing
• Laboratory methods and platforms for analysis
• Data handling and cleaning
• Data analysis
• Study design advantages and pitfalls
• Emerging epigenetic topics and laboratory platforms

Investigators at all career stages are welcome to attend, and we particularly encourage trainees and early-stage investigators to participate.

PREREQUISITES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Each participant is required to bring a personal laptop as all lab sessions will be done on your personal laptop. Tablets and ipads will not work with the platform being used.
2. The Boot Camp will use data sets in R, therefore we strongly recommend that participants have a basic understanding of this platform prior to attending the Boot Camp. It is ok if you have never used this platform before because the tutorials outlined below will provide you with the basic skills needed for Boot Camp success.

R TUTORIALS

Knowing basic R platform and commands are highly recommended for the Boot Camp as noted in prerequisites above. If you are new to R or need a refresher, you can review the below tutorials to be well prepared:

• Download R: R is the free software programming language we will use. Choose the correct version for your laptop: Mac/Windows
• Download R studio: R studio is free software that will help us develop programs in R. Choose the correct version for your laptop: Mac/Windows
• How to Download R and R studio: A tutorial on how to download R and R Studio
• How to Install a Package in R studio: Steps to install a package in r studio
• Introduction to R: A free edX class on R fundamentals using Datacamp platform

If you have any specific questions about R and R studio in the context of the Epigenetics Boot Camp, please email us.

For updates and to register, click HERE.