The mouse phenogenomics

The mouse phenogenomics is currently the key way through modelling of disease in biomedicine. The mouse, first lab mammal to have its genome sequenced, is the most animal model used in laboratory to improve knowledge regarding how gene are involved in health and disease. The understanding of the molecular pathways the gene control is crucial to the understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis, the discovery of new targets and preclinical human therapeutic applications. PHENOMIN, French specialist in the generation of genetically modified mice, and their clinical characterization in vivo (anatomical, physiological and behavioural phenotypes) is actively involved in the international effort to annotate the genome of mammals, and particularly functional annotation of 20 000 coding genes identified in mice, which actually make up only 1.5% of its genome. 

PHENOMIN supports researchers who use mouse models by giving us the opportunity to take part of the 2nd Edition of the Advanced School in Mouse Phenogenomics. 

The 2017 school will continue to build on the success of the previous session !

Would you like to learn how to choose, create and analyse your best mouse model?

Do you have a sufficient background in mouse functional genomics to lead as best your research?

Then, come to the heart of Europe to be involved - together with other students and researchers from all over the world - in opened discussion, in constructive analysis of your own research and in building conceptual scientific advances.

This unique international event will provide the attendees with an innovative program focused on the best practices in the use of the mouse model for biomedical and basic research; this program also addresses the item of continuing professional education consistent with the new European directive requirement for lab animal protection in experiments.

• The school covers the different fields of mouse phenogenomics, ranging through 5 topics from state-of-the-art mouse genetics, mutagenesis, mouse colony management, phenotyping human diseases and data management (statistical approaches).
• Importantly, some freely-available resources that link model organism genes to human diseases will be presented to promote a better understanding of the mammalian genome. It is a very completed program to overview all the transversal connection between each topic.

The school will provide a wealth of information on good practices in the use of mouse model (experimental design, ethics, regulations, analysis, data and resources ...) to support attendees in their research. 

Advanced School

Likely to the previous edition, the program consists of invited speakers' talks, work sessions on selected scientific and/or methods issues.

• Accelerate the transfer of concepts and innovative methods regarding the mouse genetics, mutagenesis, phenotyping, mouse colony management, and archiving- distribution lines of genetically modified mice.
• Support participants in the use of current European and international free resources on mouse phenogenomics: cryopreservation, distribution and phenotyping data for lines already characterized and available to the scientific community

Mornings are devoted to seminars whereas afternoons are devoted to "practical sessions" needing the active attendees' participation (work group, debate, round table,..).

The target audience consists of engineers and/or clinicians and/or researchers who directly or indirectly use mouse as animal model for scientific research. We encourage both industrial and academic researchers, postdocs and PhDs from all Europe to attend this school. The school involves French and European major infrastructures, thought its INFRAFRONTIER partnership.

45 participants could attend at the school.

Meet the speakers and experts

One of the aims of the PHENOMIN school is to provide the unique opportunity for PhDs and young postdocs to discuss in details about their research with experts as well as with each other. 

• The courses are based on scientific international projects dedicating to the annotation of the genome of mammals and mouse phenogenomics.
• In addition, the welfare assessment of genetically modified mouse models and ethical considerations in experimental design will be highlighted by an original and instructive workshop. The new European requirements for animal testing will be addressed too.
• The invited speakers' talks  include seminars (25 or 50 minutes) on specific topics that allow discussion with the audience (5 or 10 minutes questions & answers). Attendees will be given opportunities for informal chats through lunches and dinners with speakers and experts. 
• An abstract submission is required and consists of recently published or unpublished research or clinical case presentations or new solutions for management/husbandry problems. 
• Working sessions in groups are scheduled to answer the highlighted issues from participants (attendees expectations will be declined in the registration form). 

By this way, and by emphysing the time frame for free time, discussions and exchanges, the school promises to accelerate the sharing of conceptual scientific advances and transfer of innovative methods and techniques in the field of animal testing, and more specifically the use of mice in biomedical research, including the design of experimental protocols until its realization and data analysis.

24 invited experts will attend the school. European speakers, involved in INFRAFRONTIER infrastructure, will join us as well.