Molecular Neurodegeneration

This highly-regarded course provides a cutting edge examination of the
molecular basis of neurodegeneration and the development of treatment
strategies. Many parallels are evident between different
neurodegenerative diseases and this course will highlight and discuss, in
detail, the common themes across neurodegenerative processes. Course
participants will gain an insight into the current understanding of both
rare and common neurological disorders, the strengths and weaknesses of
experimental evidence and how this knowledge can be applied to develop
therapies.

Target audience

The course is aimed at individuals working in neurodegenerative research,
including clinicians, PhD students, post-docs and clinical geneticists.
Applications are encouraged from academia, clinical and animal
science as well as the pharmaceutical and biotechnology
industries. In particular, the course will benefit researchers who
seek an overarching view of neurodegenerative disorders together with
associated state of the art research techniques, and wish to gain a new
perspective on their own studies.

Please note: To optimise the impact of the course,
attendance is limited to 25 places.

The intensive programme provides the opportunity to interact with leading
international neuroscientists. Participants will be tutored by expert
researchers from highly regarded international institutions, and speakers
selected to cover a wide range of neuroscience research interests.

The course is primarily lecture-based but highly interactive; providing
an exceptional learning environment. Tutors are available throughout the
course, both in formal lectures and informal settings. Participants will
have the unique opportunity to share their own research with tutors,
speakers and other attendees during the course, during formal poster
sessions and informal discussions.

Course topics
•  Pathological events in human neurodegeneration
•  Development of therapeutic approaches
•  Genetic variation in inherited and sporadic disease
•  Role of pathogenic proteins
•  Use of in vivo models to study neurological pathogenesis
•  The application of high content approaches
•  Genome editing: methods and applications

Learning outcomes
•  In-depth understanding of neurodegeneration
•  Appreciation of the similarities between neurological disorders

•  Knowledge of the latest experimental techniques being used in
neuroscience
•  Recognise transferable intellectual and technical tools
•  Ability to develop treatment therapies
•  New ideas and perspectives for own research strategy
•  Interaction with international leading neuroscientists

Course tutors
Mark
Cookson National Institutes of Health, USA (LRRK2)
Beverly
Davidson The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA
(PolyQ diseases & Lysosomal storage diseases)
Harry
Orr University of Minnesota, USA (Ataxia)
Nicholas
Wood University College London, UK (Genetics of
neurodegenerative disease)

Confirmed speakers

Susan Ackerman The Jackson Laboratory, USA (RNA and
neurodegeneration)
Karen Duff Columbia University, USA (Alzheimer’s
disease)
Constantino Iadecola Weill Cornell Medical College,
USA (Stroke)
Rick Livesey University of Cambridge, UK (Stem
cells/IPSC)

Huw Morris University College London, UK (Clinical
aspects of neurological diseases)
David Nelson Baylor College of Medicine, USA
(Fragile X & FXTAS)
David Rubinsztein University of Cambridge, UK
(Autophagy)
Marka van Blitterswijk Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville,
USA (ALS & dementia)

Prerequisites
The course is aimed at individuals working in neurodegenerative research,
including clinicians, PhD students, post-docs and clinical geneticists.
Applications are encouraged from academia, clinical and animal
science as well as the pharmaceutical and biotechnology
industries. In particular, the course will benefit researchers who
seek an overarching view of neurodegenerative disorders together with
associated state of the art research techniques, and wish to gain a new
perspective on their own studies

Cost
The
course is subsidised by the Wellcome Genome Campus
Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences Programme. This is a
residential
course and there is a fee of £650 towards board and lodging
for non-commercial applicants. The fee for commercial applicants is
£1050.

Applications
Applications for this course can now be completed online. If you have any
problems with the online application process, please contact us.

Please note: Applications
must be supported by a
recommendation from a scientific or clinical sponsor (e.g. supervisor or
head of department). A request for a supporting
statement will be sent
to your nominated sponsor automatically during
the application process.
Applicants must ensure that their sponsor
provides this supporting
statement by the application deadline. Applications without a supporting
statement cannot be considered.

Deadlines
Deadline for Applications: Closed

Bursaries
To apply for a bursary, please contact the conference organiser by 18
September 2015
The following information is required to apply for a bursary:
– CV
– Covering letter
– Support letter from supervisor