Advanced approaches for studying osteoclasts in transgenic models

1-4 December 2008
Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen

FEE: €150 (includes accommodation and meals)
(NB – payable on notification of acceptance (see below))

ELIGIBILITY: Member of ECTS
Must have basic knowledge of bone histology and osteoclast culture

This course will focus on a range of advanced microscopical methods for study of osteoclasts in the context of analyzing skeletal phenotypes. Methods include confocal, transmission and scanning electron microscopy and the use of microCT and histomorphometry. Please note that histomorphometry will focus on its application to mouse models only.

The course will consist of overview lectures and, importantly, 5 practical sessions in which all techniques will be demonstrated/practiced. We will discuss and practice a range of software programmes to help analyze results obtained.

We welcome PhD students, technicians and researchers who already have a basic knowledge of bone histology and osteoclast culture and now want to expand the range of techniques they apply in their studies.

REGISTRATION - DEADLINE 12TH SEPTEMBER 2008

To register please complete the registration form and send, together with a short summary (around 400 words) of your work with osteoclasts and your practical expertise with any the techniques mentioned above. Please also include experience with image analysis programmes in your application.

Applications will be judged by the course organisers on suitability and practical ability. The number of participants will be restricted to 15.

Application deadline is September 12th and you will be notified by September 17th if you application has been successful or not.

Please send your application by email to admin@ectsoc.org

PROGRAMME
(Subject to change)

Advanced approaches for studying osteoclasts in transgenic models
1-4 December 2008, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen
Organisers: Miep Helfrich and Rob van ‘t Hof

Monday 1 December
12.00 Arrival at IMS, Lunch
14.00  

Introduction to course Miep Helfrich (Aberdeen, UK) and overview of relevant work of the Bone and Musculoskeletal
Programme in Aberdeen Mike Rogers (Aberdeen, UK) and Bone Unit in Edinburgh Rob van ‘t Hof (Edinburgh, UK)

15.00   Introduction to immunostaining and introduction to fluorescent microscopy - Miep Helfrich (Aberdeen, UK)
15.40   Tea
16.00   Introduction to Histology and Histomorphometry - Rob van ‘t Hof (Edinburgh, UK)
17.00   Tour of the labs
17.30   Depart to accommodation at King’s College
19.00   Dinner with all participants at venue in City Centre
 
Tuesday 2 December
Registration, sessions, dinner and overnight accommodation
09.30 MicroCT - Rob van ‘t Hof (Edinburgh, UK)
10.30   Coffee
11.00   Practical 1
13.00   Lunch
14.00   Practical 2
16.00   Electron Microscopy - Miep Helfrich (Aberdeen, UK)
(Tea provided during lecture)
17.00   Finish
Wednesday 3 December
09.30   Confocal microscopy (theory and probes for osteoclast studies) - Fraser Coxon (Aberdeen, UK)
11.00   Practical 3
13.00   Lunch
14.00   Practical 4
16.00   in vivo imaging of osteoclast - Pierre Jurdic (Lyon, France)
 
Thursday 4 December
09.00   Practical 5
10.30   Extra practical session by choice
12.00   Correlative microscopy - Paul Verkade (Bristol, UK)
13.00   Lunch and evaluation of course
14.00   Depart

Practical Sessions:

Participants will split up into groups of 2-3 and will rotate around the practical sessions which will be as follows:

  1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of bone and osteoclasts
  2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of osteoclasts
  3. Confocal microscopy of osteoclasts, using a range of antibodies and probes to membrane and intracellular structures
  4. microCT and reconstruction and analysis, practical on ex-vivo machine, lecture will also cover in vivo imaging by CT
  5. Histology and histomorphometry of bone (focussing on mouse bone, correlation with microCT and application to transgenic models)

A variety of other analysis methods will be shown on request (participants will be asked prior to the course to indicate what else they want to see) for example: reflective light microscopy to measure resorption pits and pit depth, a variety of imaging programmes to display 3-dimensional data from confocal and microCT and make measurements and live cell imaging equipment.

Demonstrators for the practicals:

Miep Helfrich (senior lecturer, TEM, histology and general microscopy)
Rob van ‘t Hof (senior lecturer, microCT and histomorphometry)
Fraser Coxon (research fellow, confocal microscopy, immunostaining and SEM)
Kevin Mackenzie (technologist, SEM, microCT and image analysis)
Debbie Scott (PhD student, immunostaining for confocal and TEM)
John Greenhorn (technician, tissue sectioning for LM and TEM and immunogold staining)