National Workshop on Digital PCR & Molecular Diagnostics - Registrations Open

National Workshop on Digital PCR & Molecular Diagnostics

Workflow, Data Analysis, Assay Design & Applications

From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications, Hands-on Learning & Career Opportunities

What comes after conventional PCR and qPCR? For many high-precision applications, the answer is Digital PCR.

From rare-mutation detection and liquid biopsy to infectious disease research, gene and cell therapy, NGS validation and precision medicine, Digital PCR is expanding the possibilities of molecular analysis.

As molecular diagnostics becomes increasingly data-driven and precision-focused, professionals who understand advanced PCR workflows, assay design and data interpretation can strengthen their readiness for emerging research and diagnostic roles.

This one-day national workshop will help you explore the complete Digital PCR workflow from fundamentals and instrumentation to data analysis, assay design, troubleshooting, advanced applications and career opportunities.

Workshop Details

• Date: Saturday, 5th September 2026
• Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM IST
• Venue: Online
• Get Recording Access for 5 days post the workshop

Digital PCR is transforming molecular diagnostics by enabling highly sensitive detection and absolute quantification of nucleic acids. From infectious disease diagnosis and liquid biopsy to rare mutation detection and precision medicine, dPCR is rapidly becoming an important technology across research, clinical diagnostics and biotechnology.

Join this intensive one-day national workshop to understand the complete digital PCR journey from fundamental concepts and laboratory workflow to data interpretation, assay design, troubleshooting and advanced applications.

Through expert-led sessions, software demonstrations and guided hands-on activities, participants will gain practical exposure to the tools, techniques and career skills required in modern molecular diagnostics.

Workshop Highlights

• Six expert-led learning sessions
• Digital PCR workflow and instrumentation demonstration
• Guided dPCR data-analysis activity
• Software walkthrough using a selected dPCR data-analysis platform
• In-silico primer-designing activity
• Assay optimization and troubleshooting guidance
• Advanced and emerging applications of Digital PCR
• Career opportunities, job roles, hiring companies and salary trends
• Personal skill-gap assessment and learning-plan activity
• Dedicated Q&A after every session

What Will You Learn?

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of molecular diagnostics and Digital PCR.
• Differentiate between conventional PCR, qPCR and Digital PCR.
• Understand the complete dPCR workflow, instrumentation and partitioning methods.
• Learn sample preparation, nucleic acid quality assessment and reaction setup.
• Interpret fluorescence amplitude plots and 1D and 2D scatter plots.
• Identify positive, negative and “rain” partitions in dPCR output.
• Explore commonly used dPCR data-analysis platforms.
• Understand the principles of primer and probe design.
• Perform guided in-silico primer designing.
• Learn assay optimization, validation and troubleshooting strategies.
• Explore applications of dPCR in diagnostics, oncology, agriculture, food testing and precision medicine.
• Identify relevant career opportunities, technical skills and industry expectations.

Eligibility – Who Can Join?

This workshop is open to:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate students from Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Bioinformatics and allied disciplines
• BSc, MSc, BTech, MTech, BPharm, MPharm and related degree students
• PhD scholars, research fellows, postdoctoral researchers and faculty members
• Research assistants, laboratory professionals and clinical research professionals
• Professionals working in molecular diagnostics, clinical laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical R&D or quality control
• Fresh graduates and working professionals interested in PCR technologies, assay design, molecular diagnostics or precision medicine

No prior experience with Digital PCR is required. Basic familiarity with molecular biology or PCR may be helpful but is not mandatory, as the workshop covers topics ranging from fundamentals to advanced applications.

Detailed Workshop Agenda

Session 1: Fundamentals of Molecular Diagnostics & Digital PCR

Time: 10:05 AM–11:00 AM
Faculty: Mrs. Somrhita Pal

• Introduction to molecular diagnostics
• Evolution of PCR technologies
• Comparison of conventional PCR, qPCR and Digital PCR
• Principles, importance and workflow of dPCR
• Digital PCR platforms and instrumentation
• Absolute versus relative quantification
• Advantages, limitations and challenges of dPCR
• Animation or video demonstration of PCR technologies

Session 2: Digital PCR Workflow & Instrumentation

Time: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Faculty: Dr. Prangya Rath

• Sample preparation and nucleic acid quality assessment
• Reaction setup and assay validation
• Droplet- and chip-based partition generation
• Instrument operation
• Best laboratory practices
• Quality-control considerations
• Demonstration video on Digital PCR working

Session 3: Digital PCR Data Analysis & Interpretation

Time: 12:00 PM–1:00 PM
External Speaker: Neha Moradiya

• Overview of the Digital PCR data-analysis workflow
• Introduction to Bio-Rad QuantaSoft, Thermo Fisher Absolute Q Analysis Software and QIAGEN QIAcuity Software
• Understanding fluorescence amplitude plots
• Interpretation of 1D and 2D scatter plots
• Identification of positive, negative and “rain” partitions
• Cluster identification and separation
• Result interpretation
• Guided data-analysis and interpretation activity

Lunch Break

Time: 1:00 PM–1:30 PM

Session 4: Primer and Probe Design, Assay Optimization & Troubleshooting

Time: 1:30 PM–2:30 PM
Faculty: Dr. Elamathi Natrajan

• Principles of primer and probe design
• Primer3, NCBI Primer-BLAST and other in-silico tools
• Digital PCR assay and multiplex assay design
• Selection of target and reference genes
• Optimization of annealing temperature and reaction conditions
• Common PCR and Digital PCR errors
• Troubleshooting amplification failures and non-specific products
• Addressing low partition counts and data-quality issues
• Guided in-silico primer-designing activity

Session 5: Advanced Applications and Emerging Trends in Digital PCR

Time: 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
Faculty: Dr. Vaishnavi Babu

• Infectious disease diagnostics
• Oncology and liquid biopsy
• Rare mutation detection
• Gene-expression analysis
• Copy-number variation analysis
• Environmental, agricultural and food-testing applications
• AI-enabled molecular diagnostics
• Integration with NGS and precision medicine
• Future scope of Digital PCR

Session 6: Career Opportunities & Industry Readiness in Molecular Diagnostics

Time: 3:30 PM–3:55 PM
Faculty: Mrs. Himani Agarwal

• Career opportunities in R&D, quality control and molecular diagnostics
• Opportunities in clinical laboratories, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
• Job roles, hiring companies and salary trends in India and abroad
• Essential technical skills and software proficiency
• Higher education, research and certification pathways
• Personal skill-gap assessment activity

Conclusion

Time: 3:55 PM–4:00 PM
Host: Dr. Tanushree

Guided Hands-on Activities

Digital PCR Data Analysis

Participants will examine representative dPCR output and learn how to interpret clusters, fluorescence plots and positive, negative and ambiguous partitions.

In-Silico Primer Designing

Participants will receive guided exposure to primer-design tools and learn the essential considerations involved in selecting primers for molecular assays.

Skill-Gap Assessment

Participants will assess their current proficiency in the following areas:

• PCR
• qPCR
• Digital PCR
• Primer design
• Bioinformatics
• NGS
• Statistics

Each participant will identify three priority skills and create a personal learning plan aligned with their preferred career path.

Speakers and Faculty

External Speaker

• Neha Moradiya

Internal Faculty

• Mrs. Somrhita Pal
• Dr. Prangya Rath
• Dr. Elamathi Natrajan
• Dr. Vaishnavi Babu
• Mrs. Himani Agarwal

Workshop Host: Dr. Tanushree

Why Should You Join?

This workshop goes beyond a theoretical introduction. It connects the complete dPCR workflow with data analysis, assay design, troubleshooting, real-world applications and career preparation—all within one focused learning experience.

Whether you are beginning your journey in molecular diagnostics or want to strengthen your understanding of advanced PCR technologies, this workshop will help you identify the knowledge and practical skills required to move forward.

Limited seats available. Enrol now and build industry-relevant expertise in Digital PCR and Molecular Diagnostics!

Note: The hands-on components consist of guided data-analysis and in-silico primer-design activities. A Q&A will be conducted at the end of every session.