ION CHANNELS & SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION
June 3 - 23, 2015
Application Deadline: March 15, 2015
Instructors:
Tiago Branco, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Stephan Brenowitz, Janelia Farm Research Campus/HHMI
Ian Duguid, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Paul Kammermeier, University of Rochester Medical Center
See the roll of honor - who's taken the course in the past
The primary goal of this course is to investigate, through lectures and laboratory work, the properties of ion channels that allow neurons to carry out their unique physiological functions in a variety of neural systems. Areas of particular interest include channels that (1) are activated by neurotransmitter at central and peripheral synapses, (2) are activated by voltage changes in axons and dendrites, (3) respond to neuromodulators with changes in functional properties, (4) are developmentally required and regulated, or (5) are light-gated and engineered to express in specific neural subtypes. The research interests of guest lecturers reflect these areas of emphasis.
The laboratory component of the course introduces students to state-of-the-art electrophysiological approaches for the study of ion channels in their native environments. Hands-on exercises include patch-clamp recording of ion channel activity in acutely isolated or cultured cells or neurons in brain slice preparations. Different recording configurations are used (e.g. whole-cell, cell-attached, dendritic patches, and using voltage- and current-clamp configurations) to examine macroscopic or single-channel activity. Similarly, various methods of ligand and drug application are demonstrated. The advantages and disadvantages of each method, preparation and recording technique are considered in relation to the specific scientific questions being asked. Admissions priority is given to students and postdocs with a demonstrated interest, specific plans, and a supportive environment to apply these techniques to a defined problem.
Guest speakers in 2014 included:
Henry Colecraft, Columbia University
Michael Hausser, University College London
Lori Isom, University of Michigan
Albert Lee, HHMI Janelia Farm Research Campus
Amy Lee, University of Iowa
Craig Montell, University of California, Santa Barbara
Roger Nicoll, University of California, San Francisco
Crina Nimigean, Weill Cornell Medical College
Thomas Oertner, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg
Andrew Plested, Leibnitz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology
Mala Shah, University College London
Gordon Shepherd, Northwestern University
Jesper Sjostrom, McGill University
Laurence Trussell, Oregon Health and Science University
Matthew Xu-Friedman, University of Buffalo, SUNY
This course is supported by 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
Cost (including board and lodging): $4,705
This button links to a short form which confirms your interest in the course.
No fees are due until you have completed the full application process and
are accepted into the course.
Students accepted into the course should plan to arrive by early evening on June 2 and plan to depart after lunch on June 23.