Translational Medicine Educational Workshop: Animal Models in Neuroscience
Coordinators: Anna Olsson, João Relvas, Monica Sousa
Date: 18 - 22 October 2010 (9 -18h)
Location: IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Porto, Portugal
Deadline for Registration: 24th September 2010
Description:
This 5-day full-time workshop is intended for researchers and medical graduate students in neuroscience projects where animal models play an important role in research. It aims to give a broad introduction to the issues involved from formulating the research question through designing and carrying out the research to interpreting and using the findings. The workshop is organized as two parts, with the first part being of general relevance for all areas of neuroscience and the second focused on the specific questions of degeneration and regeneration in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Students can sign up for the entire 5-day course (Modules I+II) or for the 3-day general module (Module I).
In Module I students are introduced to animal use in research (animal biology; animal models; transgenics and knockouts, ethics and the 3Rs) and methodology and information management (development and validation of models and tests; metaanalysis, sytematic review and data quality; behaviour testing). Model II covers CNS degeneration and regeneration, demyelination and remyelination in the PNS and CNS, animal models of nerve injury and neurodegeneration and assessment of nerve regeneration.
The workshop is coordinated by Anna Olsson, João Relvas and Monica Sousa from the IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, with the collaboration of Rui Costa - Fundação Champalimaud, with assistance from PhD students and the animal facility of the IBMC.
Invited faculty include Rebecca Nordquist - Utrecht University, Malcolm Macleod - University of Edinburgh, Frank Bradke - Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Thomas Misgeld - Technical University Munich, Charles ffrench-Constant - University of Edinburgh, and Pedro Moreira - EMBL.
Throughout both modules lectures are combined with tutored group discussions (journal clubs) as well as demonstration and hands-on exercises to promote integration and networking.
Course participation is limited to 20 students. Students will be selected on the basis of background and research interests in order to ensure diversity. Students are expected to have basic knowledge of nervous system physiology and to have read the scientific papers (see time schedule) for the journal clubs before the start of the course.
In order to apply please send a short CV as well as a short essay (maximum 500 words) in English on your motivation for participating in the workshop.
Contact:
For further information please contact Anna Olsson: olsson@ibmc.up.pt
For logistical questions please contact Portugal Program Manager Sandra Oliveira: Sandra_Oliveira@hms.harvard.edu