IMAGING STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
July 27 - August 16, 2010
Application Deadline: March 15, 2010

Instructors:
Scott Thompson, University of Maryland
William Tyler, Arizona State University
Jack Waters, Northwestern University

See the roll of honor - who's taken the course in the past

Advances in light microscopy, digital image processing, and the development of a variety of powerful fluorescent probes present expanding opportunities for investigating the nervous system, from synaptic spines to networks in the brain. This intensive laboratory and lecture course will provide participants with the theoretical and practical knowledge to utilize emerging imaging technologies. The primary emphasis of the course will be on vital light microscopy. Students will learn the principles of light microscopy, as well as use of different types of electronic cameras, laser scanning systems, functional fluorophores, delivery techniques, and digital image-processing software. In addition to transmitted light microscopy for viewing cellular motility, the course will examine a variety of molecular probes of cell function, including calcium-sensitive dyes, voltage-sensitive dyes, photo-activated ("caged") compounds, and exocytosis tracers. Issues arising in the combination of imaging with electrophysiological methods will be covered. Particular weight will be given to multi-photon laser scanning microscopy and to newly available biological fluorophores, especially Green-Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and its variants. We will use a spectrum of neural and cell biological systems, including living animals, brain slices, and cultured cells.

Applicants should have a strong background in the neurosciences or in cell biology. In their personal statements, applicants should specify: 1) their experience with optical techniques, 2) how they will apply optical methods in their current projects, 3) the microscope systems available to them, and 4) their long-term goals in learning more about optical methods.

Lecturers in the 2009 course included:
Marcel Bruchez, Carnegie Mellon University
Susana Cohen-Cory, University of California Irvine
Martha Constantine-Paton, MIT
Karl Deisseroth, Stanford University
Winfried Denk, Max-Planck-Institute for Medial Research
David DiGregorio, Universite Paris 5
Florian Engert, Harvard University
Ron Frostig, University of California, Irvine
Oliver Griesbeck, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Germany
Shelly Halpain, University of California, San Diego
Samuel Hess, University of Maine
Mark Hubener, Max-Planck-Institute of Neurobiology, Germany
Karl Kilborn, Intelligent Imaging Innovations, Inc.
Fred Lanni, Carnegie-Mellon University
Thomas Mrsic-Flogel, University College London
Venkatesh Murthy, Harvard University
Linda Overstreet-Wadiche, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Stephen Smith, Stanford University
Mickael Tanter, NIHMR, France
Philbert Tsai, University of California, San Diego
Ryohei Yasuda, Duke University Medical Center


This course is supported with funds provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Scientists from developing countries accepted into this course may be eligible for scholarships provided by the International Brain Research Organization (Click here for details)

Cost (including board and lodging): $4,250
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