Molecular Neurodegeneration

This course provides an overview of the molecular basis of
neurodegeneration and the development of treatment strategies to combat
neurodegenerative disorders. The programme will focus on several
disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Fragile X,
Spinocerebellar ataxia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There are many
parallels between different neurodegenerative disorders and the course
will examine the common themes across neurodegenerative processes.
Participants will gain an insight into the current understanding of both
rare and common neurological disorders, the strengths and weaknesses of
experimental approaches and evidence, and how this knowledge can be
applied to develop therapies.

The programme is aimed at individuals working in neurodegenerative
research, neurogenetics or translational neuroscience, including
clinician scientists, veterinary scientists, PhD students and
post-doctoral researchers. We encourage applications from researchers
based in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Applications
from those who have completed a PhD in another area and have moved into
neuroscience for their postdoctoral studies will also be considered.

The course will benefit researchers who seek a comprehensive view of
neurodegenerative disorders together with state of the art research
techniques, and who wish to gain a new perspective on their own studies.
The intensive programme provides the opportunity to interact with leading
international neuroscientists. To optimize discussions and interactions,
numbers are limited to 30 students.

Learning outcomes
After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe in detail the process of neurodegeneration
• Compare and contrast different neurological disorders
• Critique a range of experimental techniques being used in neurogenetics
• Interpret and communicate the findings of a Genome-Wide Association Study
• Describe the pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases
• Compare different approaches to translational medicine (e.g. small molecule versus molecular approaches)
• Apply concepts learned on the course to your own research project

Feedback from previous participants
“The whole course was an amazing experience and a great opportunity
to get up to speed in such complex topics.”

“The opportunity to meet both peers and accomplished researchers in the
field, providing a fantastic platform for networking.”

“This is the best course I have been on. The interactive element to the
course with fantastic speakers and a small group of participants is truly
unique. The speakers and topics chosen perfectly complemented each other.
By the end of the course key mechanisms and therapeutic strategies across
the breadth of the neurodegenerative diseases were highlighted with
important common themes emerging across diseases. I came away with lots
of ideas to take to the lab.”

The course will start with at 12.00 on Monday, 9 January and finish at
16.00 on Saturday, 14 January 2017.

The programme is lecture-based but highly interactive. Participants will
have the opportunity to share their research with tutors, speakers and
other students throughout the course, during the formal poster sessions
and discussion sessions. Tutors are available throughout the course.

Topics will include

• Pathological events in neurodegeneration
• Autophagy, aging and neurodegeneration
• Genetic variation in inherited and sporadic disease
• RNA Genomics and Bioinformatics
• Use of in vivo models to study neurological pathogenesis
• Modelling neurodegeneration using iPSCs
• Development of therapeutic approaches

Please find a copy of the draft programme here.

This is a residential course. All students are requested to stay onsite
for the full duration to benefit fully from discussions and interactions
with the faculty and other participants.

Scientific programme committee
Sue Ackerman University of California, San
Diego, USA
Mark Cookson National Institutes of Health, USA
Beverly Davidson The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
and the University of Pennsylvania, USA
Harry Orr University of Minnesota, USA
Nicholas Wood University College London, UK

Speakers
Karen Duff Columbia University, USA
Costantino Iadecola Weill Cornell Medical College,
USA
Rick Livesey University of Cambridge, UK
Giovanna Mallucci Medical Research Council, UK
Huw Morris University College London, UK
David Nelson Baylor College of Medicine, USA
David Rubinsztein University of Cambridge, UK
Rita Sattler Barrow Neurological Institute, USA
Yi Xing University of California, Los Angeles,
USA

Event organiser
Emily Rees Wellcome Genome Campus, UK

Fees

The fees include accommodation, meals and lectures for the duration of
the course. The fee will be requested once acceptance is confirmed.

Accommodation
This is a residential course. All participants will stay at The Wellcome
Genome Campus Conference Centre, Hinxton, Cambridge, for the nights of 9
to 13 January 2017.

If you wish to book onsite accommodation either side of the course dates,
please contact the Conference
Centre directly.

Applications
Application deadline: Closed

Places on this course are limited to 30 students and will be awarded on
merit. Applicants should be currently engaged in relevant research and
will be required to complete an online application form.
The selection process will take place in November 2016.

The following will need to be provided:

• Qualifications and justification for attendance
• An outline of current research
• Supervisor’s details: your supervisor will then receive an e-mail requesting a supporting statement to complete your application.

Please note: Applications cannot be considered without a
supervisor’s supporting statement. Therefore, applicants must ensure that
their sponsor provides this supporting statement by the application
deadline.

Travel visas
Please contact the event organiser if you require a letter to support a
travel visa application. Note that letters will be provided to confirmed
attendees.

Non-European Economic Area or Swiss nationals may be required to have a
visa to enter the UK.
Early application is strongly advised, as this process can take 6-8 weeks
or longer.

Please visit the following websites for further information:
UK Border Agency website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/
Information for general visitors and business visitors: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/business/business-activities/

A limited number of registration bursaries are
available for PhD students to attend this course (up to 50% of the
fee).

The following documents will need to be provided:

• CV
• Covering letter
• Letter from supervisor

To apply, please email your documents to the event organiser after you
have registered.

Bursary deadline: 1 November 2016