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Molecular Biology and PCR Techniques for the Laboratory

A hands on programme covering nucleic acid extraction, conventional PCR and real time quantitative PCR for diagnostic, environmental and research laboratories across Africa. Delegates learn to design primers, prepare reaction mixes, run thermal cyclers and interpret amplification curves. The course stresses contamination control and result reliability in molecular workflows.

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Register for this course

What you will be able to do

  • Extract and quantify DNA and RNA from common sample types.
  • Set up conventional and real time PCR reactions with appropriate controls.
  • Design and evaluate primers and probes for target sequences.
  • Interpret amplification and melt curves to confirm valid results.
  • Apply contamination control and workflow separation in a molecular laboratory.
  • Troubleshoot failed reactions, poor efficiency and non specific amplification.

Course outline

  1. 01Nucleic acid structure and extraction methods
  2. 02Principles of PCR and thermal cycling
  3. 03Real time quantitative PCR and detection chemistries
  4. 04Primer and probe design fundamentals
  5. 05Controls, standards and quality checks
  6. 06Contamination control and laboratory zoning
  7. 07Data interpretation and reporting
  8. 08Troubleshooting common PCR failures

Who should attend

Laboratory analysts, medical scientists, technologists and researchers introducing or expanding molecular testing capability.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendarRegister
28 to 30 Sep 2026Mauritius3US$1,500Closed
29 Sep to 1 Oct 2026Dubai3US$1,500Register
30 Sep to 2 Oct 2026Online3US$900Register
27 to 29 Oct 2026Johannesburg3R13,000Register
28 to 30 Oct 2026Cape Town3R13,000Register
2 to 4 Nov 2026Durban3R13,000Register
3 to 5 Nov 2026Pretoria3R13,000Register
4 to 6 Nov 2026Windhoek3US$1,500Register
9 to 11 Nov 2026Gaborone3US$1,500Register
10 to 12 Nov 2026Maseru3US$1,500Register
11 to 13 Nov 2026Mbabane3US$1,500Register
16 to 18 Nov 2026Lusaka3US$1,500Register
17 to 19 Nov 2026Harare3US$1,500Register
18 to 20 Nov 2026Lilongwe3US$1,500Register
23 to 25 Nov 2026Blantyre3US$1,500Register
24 to 26 Nov 2026Mozambique3US$1,500Register
25 to 27 Nov 2026Nairobi3US$1,500Register
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500Register
1 to 3 Dec 2026Kigali3US$1,500Register
2 to 4 Dec 2026Kampala3US$1,500Register
7 to 9 Dec 2026Accra3US$1,500Register
8 to 10 Dec 2026Lagos3US$1,500Register
9 to 11 Dec 2026Cairo3US$1,500Register

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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