This application is for an international bursary to attend a two week intensive course on next generation sequencing.

The course, held by Michigan University, will cover all aspects of bioinformatics analysis needed for transcriptomes and genome sequencing, as well as train in the analysis of sequences the course participants bring themselves.

At USC we have moved into the field of transcriptome and genome sequencing, and now have transcriptomes of 8 prawn tissues, pearl oyster, 2 fish tissues, and we are about to embark on sea cucumber and edible oyster sequencing, as well as tuna genomics. While capable of doing the basic analysis, this resource offers much more, and this course would train me for such analysis.

There are not many groups in Australia doing wide genome analysis of aquaculture species, and this training and materials provided in the course would put me in a position to not only service my FRDC and CRC grant industry partners, but also to train interested parties in Australia who are interested in expanding into this field. USC is investing in building up its aquaculture genetics portfolio, and this training opportunity would add to the strength of the group.

Elizur would extend her knowledge gained in this travel to the aquaculture community through lectures at a CRC or industry forums where there is potential for uptake. She will communicate with the CRC about opportunities to present to the student forum where molecular approaches could be adopted to address some of the research questions.