Emerging Techniques in Protein and Genetic Engineering

July 21-25, 2025

TO BE OFFERED IN-PERSON ON THE PROMEGA CAMPUS IN FITCHBURG, WI.
Thank you to our generous sponsor, Promega Corporation!

 

Designed as a model partnership between the educational and business communities, this five-day laboratory course offers participants the opportunity to continue their learning and skill development. Its intensive, integrated format combines lectures, hands-on lab exercises, and interactive problem-solving sessions. Participants will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of highly qualified scientist-instructors and researchers who represent the worlds of both academia and the private sector. Tapping the talents of invited speakers and content experts, this course allows students to move beyond basic techniques.

Coordinators

BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute
Department of Oncology, UW-Madison
Research & Development and Technical Support Services, Promega Corporation

COST
  • UW-Madison students and special students admitted to the course and wishing to receive 2 credits will enroll through the University registration system and will remit tuition fees directly to the University.
  • For students who do not wish to receive university credits, a special rate of $1600 is offered. (Documentation of current enrollment in an academic institution is required for confirmation of this special rate.)
  • For company employees, faculty and all others, the fee is $1800.
Requirements
  • Eligibility: Graduate students, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry employees, secondary and post-secondary teachers, with a B.S. in either biology or chemistry and a minimum of one advanced course in molecular biology. Course enrollment is limited to 20 participants.
  • Application:  Submit a registration form.
    If you wish to receive graduate credit through UW-Madison    , please be sure to use the Comment section included in this form to detail your prior experiences using molecular biology and your learning goals for the week, as instructed on the form.
    If you do not wish to receive graduate credit through UW-Madison    , please also share that information with us. Your enrollment in the course will be verified upon receipt of payment. Payment options are included in the registration form.
  • NOTE: UW-Madison Graduate Students wishing to receive credit: Please submit your registration form before [TBD]. We will review this document and let you know of your acceptance to the course.
Instructors
  • Richard Burgess, Ph.D. (James D. Watson Emeritus Prof. of Oncology, UW-Madison)
  • Amy Prevost, Ph.D. (Education Director, BTC Institute)
Content
Lectures:
  • Review of transcription, translation and epigenetics
  • Designing genome editing experiments; knock-in and knock-out genome edits.
  • Cytotoxicity: apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy
  • Molecular biology and drug discovery
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Reporter genes and vectors
  • Target engagement and assessing protein degradation
  • Patent Law and Intellectual Property
  • Studying post-translational modifications
  • Characterizing proteins
  • Assessing efficacy for drug development
Laboratory Work:
  • Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas-9
  • Studying targeted protein degradation using PROTACs
  • Perform and assess droplet digital PCR
  • Assessing cell health
  • Detecting proteins using luminescent assays
  • Next Generation Sequencing
  • Extensive discussion of data, data analysis, and application of theories and techniques to the current work of course participants.
Sample Emerging Techniques Syllabus

REGISTRATION