Harvard-NCBS course on Optogenetics

July 6-20, 2009
Venue: National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR, Bangalore

At the heart of experimental neuroscience is the ability to record activity from neurons and to stimulate them. Traditionally, electrical signals are recorded by electrodes, which are also used to pass currents to stimulate neurons. These “electrical” methods of stimulating neurons and recording from neurons are typically agnostic about neuronal identity. Optical methods are attractive alternatives because they allow the experimenter to visualize neurons that are to be stimulated or from which signals are recorded. Of particular interest are the recent developments in genetically-encoded reporters of activity and light-activated proteins that can alter neuronal signaling. The term optogenetics has come into common use to indicate the combined use of optical and genetic tools to dissect out neuronal function. In this course on optogenetics, you will learn about the latest advances in the development and use of tools to perturb and measure activity of neurons using light. Lectures will be supplemented with laboratory experience. The course will be hosted by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore.

 


Course Faculty:
Dinu Albeanu (CSHL)
Upinder Bhalla (NCBS)
Sumantra Chattarji  (NCBS)
Florian Engert (Harvard)
Venkatesh Murthy (Harvard)
K. VijayRaghavan (NCBS)


Teaching Assistants:
Adam Kampff (Harvard)


Class Size: 15

Course fee is Rs.3000.00 and includes all course materials, boarding and lodging.


Applications are invited from senior graduate students and post-doctoral fellows engaged in experimental research that can utilize optogenetic and related methods.

How to apply:
CV and a statement of purpose (one-page) that clearly states specific reasons for why this course is relevant to your own research must reach us no later than June 15, 2009. This statement should also include a brief outline of your current research activities. You will be notified of your acceptance to the course by June 20, 2009. Applications should   be submitted by email as a doc file to optogenetics2009@ncbs.res.in

Application Deadline: JUNE 15, 2009 (Closed)
Registration:
All selected participants are requested to register by submitting the registration form duly filled in along with the registration fee. Registration forms must be sent as an attachment (doc.file) by email to:  optogenetics2009@ncbs.res.in
before June 25

Mode of payment:

Payment must be made via Bank Demand draft drawn in favour of “National Centre for Biological Sciences”, payable at Bangalore.
Please write at the back of the Demand Draft “Optogenetics 2009”, your name and the name of your institution.
Payment should be sent by courier to reach us by  June 25, 2009

Mailing Address: The Organisers
“Optogenetics 2009”
National Centre for Biological Sciences
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
GKVK, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560 065

Housing
Housing will be provided in comfortable rooms on the NCBS campus.  All meals will be provided during the course.

Click Here to download Program Schedule.