Early career researchers working on plant disease carried by insect vectors can now apply for full funding to attend a five-day introductory level vector and virus diagnostics course in Ibadan, Nigeria, in November 2019, which is being run by CONNECTED in association with The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Newcastle University, and The Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK.

‘The application of molecular diagnostics for plant virus surveillance.’ will run at IITA in Ibadan from Monday 4 to Friday 8 November. The partnership arrangement will fully fund travel, accommodation, subsistence and all training costs for up to 20 successful applicants.

All CONNECTED network members who are early career researchers are eligible to apply, with preference given to those based in countries in the OECD DAC list.

The course will include an introduction to DNA barcoding and an isothermal amplification masterclass, practical sessions will include:

• DNA extraction on plants and insects
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Gel Electrophoresis and sample preparation for sequencing
• Sequence analysis
• Loop mediated AMPlification (LAMP) and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA)
• PCR/LAMP primer design.

In between practical sessions, there will be lecture input on diagnostic techniques, validation, quality assurance, troubleshooting, and local issues such as reagent purchasing, storage and waste disposal.

Applications are now open, closing at midnight on Sunday 18 August, using the application form which you can find here.

To read the full application guidance notes please use this link.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome in early September. Successful applicants will be required to complete a short questionnaire before and after the course, together with a follow up questionnaire six months later.