RNA Library Preparation – Lab Course
Register here
Date
28th – 29th May 2025
9am – 4pm
Venue
Edinburgh Genomics, Ashworth Laboratories,
The Kings Buildings Campus, The University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, Scotland, United Kingdom
Places
12
You will be contacted by our finance team for full payment. Once payment is made, your place will be confirmed and full details will be sent by our training team.
Registration fee
£230/£253/£278 (University of Edinburgh/Other University/Industrial employees)
Information
In this course you will learn how to produce directional mRNA sequencing libraries using the NEBNext UltraExpress® RNA Library Prep Kit from NEB, which provides a robust, 1 day work-flow for library production from total RNA. You will get to work on both a high-quality training sample and have the opportunity to bring your own RNA sample for library preparation and sequencing. This course assumes you have a basic level of laboratory experience in a molecular biology lab, although experienced demonstrators will always be on hand to guide you. If you have limited lab experience, please indicate this on the registration form and we will try to accommodate you.
Variations in levels of gene expression underlie many important processes in biology, such as development and evolution, and can be drivers of disease, in cancer for example. mRNA sequencing allows you to profile gene expression via mRNA abundance in a sample of interest. The new UltraExpress library prep kits from NEB allow robust library preparation from small amounts (25ng) of total RNA rapidly (in less than one day), permitting studies of small tissue samples and making these kits applicable to a large range of experiments. In this course you will get first-hand experience of RNA library preparation using one of these new kits on both a validated control sample and an optional sample supplied by yourself. You will also learn how these libraries are quality-controlled and prepared for sequencing. In addition, you will learn the theory behind the library preparations, and have the opportunity to discuss with an NEB representative the various options they have for preparing and sequencing samples.
Instructors
Jena Dryden – Sequencing Technician
Robert Foster – Sequencing Technician
Caitlin Newman – Sequencing Technician
Helen Ritch – Sequencing Technician
Javier Santoyo-Lopez – Facility Manager
Matthew Arno – Lab Manager
Max Fritsch – NEB representative
Workshop format
2 full days, in person workshop with lots of hands on practice, group discussions and introductions to relevant concepts.
If you wish to bring your own RNA sample to process, you should check the quantity of RNA present and ensure there is over 100ng and the concentration is 4 ng/µl or above. Ideally this will be checked using a Qubit device; Nanodrop measurements are often unreliable. RNA should be high quality and free of DNA, proteins and extraction contaminants. Bring your sample in a labelled 1.5ml or 0.5ml tube (RNase-free). Be aware, RNA is highly sensitive and prone to degradation. RNA samples should be kept frozen whenever not in use. When in use, they should always be kept on ice for the shortest time possible. RNases (which degrade RNA) can be present in the air and the environment – always work with RNA in a clean, sterile environment and keep tubes or plates with RNA sealed whenever possible.
Who should attend
Graduates, postgraduates, PIs and anyone who wants to learn how to prepare RNA libraries.
Requirements
This course assumes you have a basic familiarity with molecular biology and common lab techniques (e.g. use of a pipette, calculating volumes/concentrations), however a limited number of places with extra support can be provided with advance notification. Prior to the course, you will be provided with a heath & safety document which must be read and signed before starting in the lab. All lab equipment and reagents will be provided, however you may wish to bring your own note-taking equipment.
Topics covered
- Introduction to Sequencing
- Library Preparation
- Edinburgh Genomics Lab Tour
- Library QC
- MiSeq Loading Demo
- QC Discussion