Cajal course: Glial cells in health and diseases

19 June – 7 July 2023

Bordeaux School of Neuroscience

Application deadline: 10 January 2023

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For over a century, the main focus of neuroscience research has been on neurons. It is however, becoming ever more clear that brain functions such as conceptual reasoning, memory, and processing speed depend on glial cells (microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes).

The lack of understanding of the role of glia in normal brain development, function and disease is mainly due to lack of tools and methods to accurately study these cells. In recent years, neuroscience has seen a methodological revolution. The function of glia cells in neuronal circuit development, and neurodegenerative disease has become evident. The study of glial biology and the understanding on how glial cells impact on circuit function are key to understanding how the brain works and what goes wrong in brain disease. Advanced training of a new generation of neuroscientists with strong focus on glial function is crucial to make these studies a success in the coming decades.

Course directors

Ragnhildur Thora Karadottir
Cambridge University, UK

Cagla Eroglu
Duke University, US

Staci Bilbo
Duke University, US

Jean-Christophe Delpech
NutriNeuro – Bordeaux Neurocampus,

Course content

This is a theoretical and practical training course on glial cells and their communication with neuronal circuits. It will provide an overview of the current concepts and knowledge of glial cell biology in central and peripheral nervous system development in several species, including zebrafish, mice, and humans, and their link to diseases.

It will combine lectures and hands-on projects on glial development including methods in cellular neuroscience (e.g. live and fixed tissue imaging), genetic modifications, -omics (e.g., scRNA seq, proteomics and bioinformatics), electrophysiology, optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulation of glial cells and methods to study behaviour.

Details and application

https://cajal-training.org/on-site/glial-and-astrocyte-cells-in-health-and-diseases/