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Analytical Methods for Gene Therapy Vector Characterization and Testing

Register for this course by selecting one of the dates above.

Delivery methods

Course content

analytical course
Analytical

This course can count toward your Professional Certificate in Biomanufacturing Science.

Why should you attend?

In this three day hands-on course,  participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice analyzing adeno-associated virus (AAV) samples. Students will learn the basics of how AAVs are produced, the challenges associated with these production schemes, and the current landscape of analytical methods used in the gene therapy field. Those attending will gain familiarity with techniques used for evaluating critical quality attributes of quantity, purity, potency, and identity of viral vectors.

Participants will obtain hands-on experience with equipment and assays currently used in viral vector characterization and analysis, including droplet digital PCR, protein electrophoresis, transmission electron microscopy, cell-based infectivity assays, HPLC-SEC-MALS and other techniques.

All lab experiments will be grounded in foundational analytical concepts of validation and assay design. Data derived from these experiments will also be used in discussion-oriented workshop sessions. Lecture material will focus on the foundational knowledge of how and why the analytical techniques work for these molecules, which will provide participants with a deeper understanding of each assay and enhance their troubleshooting skills.

Attend and you will learn

  • The current landscape of analytical tests used in viral vector characterization
  • To describe underlying principles of analytical methods used to measure vector quantity, purity, potency, and identity (ddPCR, transduction, HPLC-SEC-MALS, TEM,AUC, and CE-SDS)
  • To describe methods used to characterize viral vectors as part of product/process development
  • To execute and troubleshoot assays taught in the course, given an appropriate procedure
  • To describe basic assay validation concepts and apply those concepts to the validation of analytical methods presented

Who should attend

This course is intended for analytical development scientists, QC analysts, and others working in the analytical lab involved in AAV analysis or interested in learning about it. Those involved in process development would also benefit in learning available analytical techniques for these vectors and the associated challenges. Others who may benefit include vendors with an analytical background, as well as graduate students or postdocs involved in gene therapy.

Attend and you will receive

  • 24 hours of instruction
  • Notebook containing all course lecture and lab materials
  • Morning coffee and tea
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon beverage break
  • Certificate of completion

Instructors

Fee

$3,500


Location

All courses are offered on site at BTEC, other than online courses. The Golden LEAF BTEC building is located at 850 Oval Drive on NC State University's Centennial Campus.

If a course is full: Waitlist policy

If a course you want to take is already full, you are welcome to email mswoodya@ncsu.edu and ask to be placed on a waitlist for that course. The waitlist is used to fill any seats that become available when individuals registered for the course are unable to attend. If one or more seats become available, individuals on the waitlist are contacted in the order in which they were added to the list.

In addition to ensuring popular courses remain full, waitlists provide a means of tracking interest and determining if additional sessions are necessary. BTEC makes every effort to schedule additional course offerings if sufficient people are wait-listed. If a new offering is scheduled, those on the waitlist are notified before registration opens to the public.

Placement on a waitlist does not commit individuals to attending a course. It simply ensures that they are given first opportunity to enroll if a seat becomes available in a full course and that they are among the first to know if an additional course offering is scheduled during the current year.

BTEC is unable to provide information about the number of those wait-listed for any given course or an individual's place on such a list.

Payment

BTEC requires payment by credit card at the time of registration. BTEC accepts payment from all major credit cards including American Express, Visa, and MasterCard.

After registration, a payment receipt is automatically emailed. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folders.

Any additional questions prior to registration should be directed to mswoodya@ncsu.edu.

Discounts available

A 40% discount is available for NIIMBL members for the following courses:

Check out BTEC’s professional development certificate program for an additional way to save money on short course costs. Any additional discount questions prior to registration should be directed to Serena Hodge, Industry Training Coordinator, at shodge@ncsu.edu.

Cancellation policies

Cancellation by registrant

To cancel a registration and be eligible for a refund of course fees, you must notify BTEC by email to mswoodya@ncsu.edu or fax to 919-513-1697. Fees are refunded according to the following schedule:

  • 100% refund – If notification is received at least 15 business days in advance of course start date
  • 75% refund – If notification is received 10–14 business days in advance of course start date
  • 50% refund – If notification is received 6–9 business days in advance of course start date
  • No refund will be issued if notice is received 5 or fewer business days in advance of course start

Refunds will take 60–90 days for processing. Refunds requested more than 90 days after payment will be issued as a check.

Substitutions may be made up to two business days prior to the course start date. Notify the BTEC office by email to mswoodya@ncsu.edu or by fax at 919-513-1697. Please include the name and email contact for the replacement. Please note that BTEC is unable to honor substitutions for individuals taking discounted courses as part of the professional development certificate program.

Cancellation by BTEC

BTEC retains the right to cancel a professional development short course no less than 10 business days in advance of the scheduled course start date. Registrants will be notified by BTEC if a course is cancelled and will receive a full refund of registration fees paid. BTEC is not responsible for airfare penalties or other costs incurred due to cancellation.

Pre-course communication

Upon successful registration for a course, you will receive an automatically-generated email as well as another email from Melody Woodyard confirming your registration. If you do not receive these emails within two business days of registering for a course, please email mswoodya@ncsu.edu to confirm your registration.

Once registered, confirmed course participants will receive a series of emails approximately two weeks before the scheduled course with detailed information regarding travel to BTEC, parking information, and a short pre-course questionnaire.