Expert-Led Courses
Every course is taught by people with deep, current experience in the field, so the learning is grounded in real practice
For Better Quality Science
Advance exists to raise standards, strengthen practice, and improve the quality of scientific work.
Advance delivers training because better quality science depends on people having access to the right skills, methods, and standards. By sharing expert knowledge openly and teaching best practice in a way that can be applied in real work, Advance helps strengthen capability across the scientific community and improve the quality of the work that follows.
Courses
Explore Our Courses
Find training that matches your role, goals, and current level of experience.
Wed 18 Nov 2026
Wed 20 Jan 2027
Wed 7 Apr 2027
Wed 15 Sep 2027
Wed 24 Nov 2027
1 day
A hands-on introduction to essential laboratory techniques at Advance, Harwell. Build confidence in safe laboratory working, equipment use, pipetting, reagent preparation and good laboratory...
Alex Hardgrave
Mon 30 Nov 2026
Mon 26 Apr 2027
Mon 16 Aug 2027
Mon 29 Nov 2027
Mouse Necropsy
£400
1 day
A hands-on introduction to mouse necropsy. Learn how to perform a standard mouse necropsy, identify and record gross pathological findings, and gain confidence in...
Maz Yon
Five days 22 Feb 2027
5 days
A five-day workshop on the effective use of mouse models in biomedical research at Advance, Harwell. Learn how to select, design and manage genetically...
Michelle Stewart
Thu 11 Mar 2027
Basics of Histology
£395
1 day
A hands-on introduction to histology at Advance, Harwell. Develop practical skills in tissue embedding, microtomy and staining while learning how histological techniques support biomedical...
Adele Austin
Two days 22 Mar 2027
2 days
Designed for animal technicians and early-career researchers, this course provides a foundation in mouse genetics and colony management. Explore genetic crosses, breeding calculations and...
Michelle Stewart
Wed 16 Jun 2027
Wed 20 Oct 2027
1 day
A practical introduction to laboratory techniques for animal technicians. Build confidence in safe laboratory working, equipment use, sample preparation and essential skills such as...
Alex Hardgrave
Tue 6 Jul 2027
1 day
Designed for researchers working with conditional mouse models, this course explores the principles behind Cre-Lox, Flp, Dre and Vika systems. Learn how they can...
Lydia Teboul , Michelle Stewart
Three days 4 Oct 2027
3 days
An advanced course in mouse genetics and colony management. Explore complex inheritance patterns, breeding strategies and experimental design while developing the skills needed to...
Michelle Stewart
Why Choose Advance Training
Hands-On, Best-Practice Training That Helps People in Science Progress in their Careers
Advance training is designed to be useful where it matters most: in real scientific work. Courses focus on applicable skills, current methods, and the standards that underpin high-quality practice, giving learners training they can use with confidence to progress their career journeys.
Our People Set the Standard
Learn From Experts With Deep, Current Experience in the Field
What makes Advance training especially valuable is direct access to the people leading in their respective fields. Courses are taught by experts who bring specialist knowledge, practical judgement, and real-world context into the room, helping learners build skills that feel relevant, credible, and useful in practice.
Alex Hardgrave
Clinical Pathology Manager at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell
PhD in Immunology, Lancaster University - research focused on antibiotics, macrophages and intestinal hormones. MSci in Biomedicine, Lancaster University.
Alex Hardgrave is the Clinical Pathology Manager at the Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell.
Maz Yon
Training Lead & Head of Pathology Services at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell
PhD in Neurobiology; MRes in Biomedical Science; PGDET in Education and Training
Maz is the Training Lead and Head of Pathology Services at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell.
Michelle Stewart
Scientific Manager at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell
Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology; PhD in Neurobehavioural Genetics
Michelle Stewart is the Scientific Manager at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell.
Adele Austin
Senior Pathology technician at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell
Apprenticeship at Harwell. BTEC in Medical Laboratory Sciences at the College of Oxford and HTEC in Medical Laboratory Science at Paddington College.
Adele Austin is a pathology technician based in the Histology lab with over 40 years of experience in research.
Lydia Teboul
Head of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell
PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Nice
Lydia has over 25 years of experience of mouse genome engineering, with expertise in both classical and genome editing methods.
Sara Wells
Director of the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell
BSc in Genetics, University of Sheffield; PhD at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research on neuroendocrine gene expression
Sara Wells is Director of the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell.
Audiences
For People in Science Who Want Skills They Can Use in Real Work
Advance training is designed for scientists, researchers, technical staff, and people developing their careers in science. It is for those who want to strengthen practical capability, build confidence in specialist areas, and improve the quality of the work they do day to day.
Scientists and Researchers
For people looking to strengthen methods, apply best practice, and build deeper technical confidence in their work.
Career-Developing Professionals
For people building their experience, expanding their skill set, or looking to progress with stronger practical capability.
Testimonials
What People Say About Advance Training
Real feedback from scientists who’ve trained with us
In Their Own Words
Practical courses designed to build real, applicable skills for people in science.
Expert-Led Scientific Training
Advance offers expert-led scientific training courses for scientists, researchers, and people developing their careers in science. The courses are designed to build practical skills that translate directly into better work, helping learners strengthen their capability, progress with confidence, and apply what they learn in real settings.
01 · Expert-led teaching
Expert-Led Courses
Every course is taught by people with deep, current experience in the field, so the learning is grounded in real practice
02 · Practical application
Practical Learning
Courses are built around what works in real research and practice.
03 · Modern facilities
Specialist Topics
The portfolio covers focused areas of scientific training, helping learners develop capability in specific subjects and methods.
04 · Back-to-work value
Skills That Translate to Better Work
Each course is built to give people something they can take back into their role with confidence, whether that is stronger technique, better judgement, or a clearer understanding of best practice.
Stronger skills, greater confidence, and learning that supports better quality scientific work.
What Learners Take Back to Their Work
Advance training builds measurable capability. Scientists report stronger technical confidence, improved methods in their daily work, and the ability to make better decisions in their labs. The skills stick because they are taught by people who use them every day.
Interactive workshops allowed us to actually understand and implement our knowledge.
100%
Stronger Practical Capability
Learners build skills they can apply directly in real scientific work.
95%
Greater Confidence in Practice
Attendees on our courses feel increased confidence in the methods, standards, and decisions that underpin their work.
95%
Improved Subject Area Understanding
Attendees on our courses understand their subject area better, which benefits troubleshooting and effectiveness.
91%
Career Development
Attendees report that our courses support career progression by strengthening specialist knowledge and professional capability.
Questions
Get clear answers about our courses, how to book, and what comes next.
Who are these courses for?
Our courses are built for working scientists at every stage of their careers. Whether you’re starting out or running a lab, there’s training that strengthens real capability. No prior knowledge of specific topics is required, just a genuine interest in learning practical skills you can use.
What should I do if a course does not have a date?
Register your interest and we’ll notify you when new dates are scheduled. Many courses run multiple times throughout the year, and registering early helps us plan future sessions based on demand.
How often are new course dates released?
We release new dates regularly throughout the year, typically several months in advance. Check the course portfolio for current availability, or register interest to stay informed about upcoming sessions.
Is financial support available?
If your finances are tight, you can apply for funding to help cover costs associated with course attendance from organisations such as AS-ET, ICLAS, Laboratory Animals Limited, and LASA and are encouraged to explore other opportunities for sourcing financial assistance to help cover training costs.
Can I partner with Advance to deliver training?
Yes. We work with institutions and organisations to deliver tailored training and access our facilities. Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities, custom programmes, or how we might support your team’s development.
Are courses theory-heavy or practical?
Courses are built around practical application. Theory is included only insofar as it helps you understand and use techniques better in real work. The focus is on methods that work, standards that matter, and skills you can take straight back to your lab.
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