LSUS hosting free forensic human identification training

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LSUS hosting free forensic human identification training

SHREVEPORT - Calling all forensic scientists and other professionals who work with DNA analysis equipment.

LSUS is hosting two Forensic Human Identification Training sessions Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 using Thermo Fisher Scientific's QuantStudio 5 and Seqstudio Genetic Analyzer.

"This training provides a unique opportunity for individuals to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment used in forensic DNA analysis," said host Dr. Vonny Salim, an assistant professor in biological sciences at LSUS who directs the biotechnology educational laboratory. "The training will provide valuable insights into the latest technologies in forensic DNA analysis, which can open doors for career advancement in forensic science, biomedical research, environmental science and other related fields that are exploring the latest advances in human genome analysis."

The free training consists of lecture sessions in the morning with select participants receiving hands-on training on the actual equipment in the afternoon.

The Quantstudio 5 training will take place Dec. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to noon with hands-on training in the afternoon.

Seqstudio training will occur Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with hands-on training to follow.

Registration for both sessions ends Friday, and if participants want to attend the hands-on training following each session, reach out to Salim via email at [email protected].

Participants can attend sessions one or both days and will receive a certification from Thermo Fisher Scientific based on the number of hours attended.

Danielle Jardel, field application scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, will conduct the training sessions in LSUS's Collaboratory.

The training is free to participants thanks to funding support from the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network through an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medial Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, which provided for the purchase of both instruments and the accompanied training.

While Salim's biotechnology educational laboratory has hosted similar trainings, this is the first time that members outside the LSUS community have been invited to participate.

"We are excited to collaborate and share the cutting-edge technology available at the LSUS Collaboratory with wider participants," Salim said. "We aim to connect with scientists in the community who are working not only on human DNA but also on other big data-related fields, such as microbiome studies.

"These areas have broad applications in forensic anthropology, computer science, microbiology, and genetics. In addition to enhancing the technical skills of our participants, we anticipate that the training will foster collaboration with other labs engaged in DNA-related research."