Program agenda 2013

Paris, April 2013

Electrophysiolical recording and imaging

The first two days will be lectures. Day 3: 6 practical experiments with electrophysiological recording and imaging, and demonstrations in local labs.

The practical experiments:

  • Extracellular spike recording and analysis
  • Patch clamp recording and stimulation in slices.
  • CCD imaging of nerve tract excitation and postsynaptic recording
  • Voltage sensitive indicators of membrane potential
  • Photolysis
  • Whole cell recording and CCD imaging of Ca concentration
  • Dendritic patch clamp recording
  • Perforated patch recording
Leuven, April 2013

mRNP transport in neurons

mRNP transport in neurons and synaptic plasticity (15 persons)
Day 1: Morning: 3 lectures on RNA/protein transport and synaptic plasticity. Afternoon: Preparation of synaptosomes.
Day 2 and 3 Analysis of synaptic RNAs or proteins (to be decided).

Yokohama City, September / October 2013

Identifying regulatory elements in the genome

Use of Genomics tool to identify regulatory elements on the genome. This include RNA-sequencing and other kind of tagging-based RNA , like the CAGE (cap-analysis gene expression) basic experimental principles and experimental design strategies for high-throughput analysis using second generation sequencing technology.
We will also explain the usage of common bioinformatics tools to map the RNA sequences on the genome and identify the regulatory elements. We will also guide the student to available browsers and tools.

In particular, we will have the following schedule:
Day 1: Principles of RNA-sequencing methodologies, strategies to set up experiments and number of replicates, RNA and libraries quality and guide to suitable experimental protocols.
Day 2: From the sequencing operation to the tag extraction and mapping to the genome: explanation of methodologies and tools
Day 3: Bioinformatic identification of promoters, RNA and regulatory networks using high-throughput transcriptome datasets. Practice by the student to navigate genomic browsers focusing on specific problems and datasets related to neurobiological experiments. Organised by the ESRs.

Yokahama City, September / October 2013

Annual Meeting