The MRC Mary Lyon Centre, as part of the MRC Harwell Institute, specializes in advanced research training and educational programs focused on mouse genetics, genomics, and related biomedical sciences. While primarily a research facility, it offers specialized courses and training modules for scientists, students, and professionals aiming to deepen their expertise in genetic modeling and disease research.
- Mouse Genetics and Genomics Course: This comprehensive program covers the fundamentals of mouse genetics, including gene targeting, CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, and phenotypic screening. Participants learn to design and implement genetic models for studying human diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders. The course includes hands-on laboratory sessions on embryo manipulation, genotyping, and data analysis using bioinformatics tools.
- Advanced Phenotyping Techniques: Focused on high-throughput phenotyping pipelines, this course trains learners in behavioral, physiological, and imaging assessments of mouse models. Topics include cardiovascular phenotyping, sensory function testing, and skeletal analysis, with emphasis on integrating multi-omics data for precise disease modeling.
- Bioinformatics for Genetic Research: Aimed at computational biologists, this module explores genomic sequencing, variant calling, and functional annotation using platforms like Ensembl and Galaxy. Students engage in projects analyzing large-scale mouse mutant datasets to identify novel therapeutic targets.
- Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery: This course bridges basic research and clinical applications, teaching how to validate mouse models for drug screening and personalized medicine. It includes case studies on rare genetic diseases and workshops on ethical considerations in animal research.
- Professional Development in Biomedical Research: Short courses on grant writing, scientific communication, and career advancement in academia or industry, tailored for early-career researchers working with mammalian models.
These programs, delivered through workshops, online modules, and immersive lab experiences, equip participants with cutting-edge skills. The centre collaborates with universities like Oxford and Cambridge, offering credits towards PhD or MSc programs. With state-of-the-art facilities, including the world's largest mouse genetics resource, learners gain unparalleled access to over 40,000 mutant strains. Training emphasizes reproducibility, data sharing, and interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate discoveries in human health. Annual enrollment exceeds 200 participants globally, fostering a network of experts in genetic research. The curriculum evolves with advancements in single-cell sequencing and AI-driven analysis, ensuring relevance in precision medicine.
