Neurosciencies Summer Seminar "Cognition: From Genes to Function”

The Neurosciencies Summer Seminar "Cognition: From Genes to Function" invites applications

Convento de la Merced
Sede de la Fundación Duques de Soria
C/ Santo Tomé, 6
Soria

The course is directed to PhD students or young post-docs in Neuroscience with a minimum research background. The seminar will bring together leading experts in cognitive processes at the genetic, cellular and integrative level, and in development and disease models related to cognition. Lectures will be designed to provoke discussion, criticism and reflection. It will proceed as a "debate forum" where renowned specialists will participate together with younger specialists, potentiating the debate to foster an intense exchange of ideas and opinions. In the course of the Seminar, the lecturers will highlight in 40 minutes the most relevant points of their presentation, leaving more detailed aspects for in-depth discussion immediately afterwards.

The School will be held in Soria from July 17 - 21, 2006.  This area has superbly attractive spots and an overwhelming list of possibilities. It is crossed by the river Duero and has superb remains of the pre-Roman and Roman civilisations.

Topics: Genome plasticity and cognitive evolution in hominoids; Genetic contribution to cognitive ability; Neurogenetic events in the human cerebral cortex - proliferation, migration and cell lineages; synaptogenesis, development of dendrites and formation of neural connectivity; genetic and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity; characteristics of cortical areal functioning; characteristics of early cortical network; plasticity of hippocampal circuitry and signaling molecules; development of working memory and executive functions in model systems and normal and WBS children; neuroimaging of cortical development in cognitive disorders; animal models of developmental neuropathologies; generic vs. species-specific features of human neocortical evolution. A variety of techniques will also be critically considered including genetic manipulation and selection, in vivo electrophysiological recording, functional imaging.

Posters or short oral presentations can be presented by the students in two sessions. A total of 20 students will be accepted.

Fellowships are available (http://davinci.crg.es/soria/finantial.php).

Co-directed by
MARA DIERSSEN
Centro de Regulación Genómica, Barcelona
CARLOS BELMONTE
Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales

For further information, please click on the links to the right of this text.