Past Conferences
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Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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The study of the neural basis of birdsong has provided insight into a variety of issues central to neurobiology—neural coding, sensorimotor coordination, developmental plasticity, learning, and memory. Recently, interest in the mouse as a model system for vocal communication has been growing. Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations during social encounters, and there have been some suggestions that male mice produce a vocal signal that may be analogous to birdsong. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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This meeting was a follow-up to "New frontiers in mitochondrial science: Integration into cell signaling," held in spring 2008. With the finding that ATP production is merely one part of mitochondrial function, comes the need to investigate their non-ATP related roles. Recent studies show mitochondrial involvement in major cellular metabolic pathways, including nucleic acid biosynthesis, hormone synthesis, and metabolism of cholesterol and neurotransmitters. Moreover, mitochondrial defects have been implicated in a wide spectrum of over 200 diseases, including Parkinson's disease, diabetes, heart disease, and likely many more that have yet to be discovered. This meeting brought together leaders in the field to discuss the most recent findings and best approaches to dissecting the expanding cellular roles of mitochondria. |
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This workshop, a follow-up to the first one held in fall 2008, focused on recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of learning and memory in Drosophila and the honeybee. It included discussions of learning that occurs through several different sensory systems along with the anatomy, cell and molecular biology, physiology, and genetics that supports memory formation and persistence. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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This meeting was a follow-up to the first one held in spring of 2009. Through a series of talks, panel discussions and posters we heard the latest updates on the development, structure and function of the cortex. Conference Agenda (PDF)
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Conference Agenda (PDF)
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| ORGANIZERS: Jennifer Doudna, HHMI/UC Berkeley Bruce Sullenger, Duke University |
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The meeting emphasized two broad themes, including 1) Identifying general principles of neural computation by studying circuits at different levels, and 2) Identifying causal relationships between the biophysical, circuit, and functional characteristics of neurons in vivo. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
| ORGANIZERS: Andrea Hasenstaub, The Salk Institute Vivek Jayaraman, Janelia Farm/HHMI Gabe Murphy, Janelia Farm/HHMI Nicholas Priebe, University of Texas at Austin
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New genetic, molecular, optical and computational tools are transforming light microscopy in ways that offer the promise of neural circuit reconstruction at previously inconceivable levels of detail and completeness. This workshop explored current advances in light-based approaches to high-resolution neural circuit imaging and analysis, including:
We also had a session devoted to some of the high-throughput programs currently underway or in the planning stages. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This conference was a follow-up to the one held in 2008. At the first meeting, we highlighted the recent development of new genetic reagents for the exogenous control of neural circuit activity, including naturally evolved light-gated ion channels and pumps, mutagenized temperature-sensitive synaptic transmission components, rationally designed photo-switches, and "orthogonal" drug/receptor pairs, among others. In this meeting, we brought together leaders in the field to review progress in the design and use of current tools, and, even more importantly, to focus on the development of novel tools and their potential applications. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This conference was a follow-up to the first one, held in 2008. We considered current challenges and recent advances in computer vision and image analysis techniques that may advance neuroscience studies, and vice versa. Topics included: deriving meaningful 3D reconstructions of cellular architecture and wiring diagrams of a brain, medical and biological image analysis methods for studying the brain, developing automatic tracking and behavior analysis algorithms for model animals, and how neuroscience can guide the design of more powerful computer vision and image analysis algorithms, systems, and image mining mechanisms. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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Genes are transcribed within an organized nucleoplasm where their function and three-dimensional environment interact. At the frontier between molecular and cell biology, biophysics and mathematics, this meeting will cover recent advances enabling measurement of transcriptional activity within living cells and providing new insights into transcription mechanisms. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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The goal of this meeting is to bring together people working on structural plasticity in vivo, with a focus on the recent longitudinal imaging approaches and related studies. We hope to identify open problems and develop a consensus on standards for measurement and analysis, as well as to discuss imaging approaches beyond structure that might allow measurement of functional synaptic plasticity in vivo. The format will be a mixture of talks, poster sessions and breakout discussions. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting will bring together groups working on circuitry, behavior and in vivo physiology of the whisker system. In addition to standard presentations, this meeting will offer overview lectures and small workshops addressing various topics, such as the role of vibrissa sensorimotor control in the larger framework of neuroscience, advances in anatomical methods, including possible coordination of efforts in quantitative anatomy, and prospects for delineating the molecular basis and cellular pathways of mechanosensory input from the vibrissa. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting is a follow-up to the first one, held in spring 2008, and will focus on new strategies and methods for imaging biological samples. Advances in resolution, sensitivity, labeling and contrast mechanisms will be reviewed. Optical methods will be deeply covered, but non-optical methods will also be discussed, as well as new contrast mechanisms and “activity imaging." Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This conference will focus not on pure image analysis, but will instead stress the importance of extracting useful and biologically relevant descriptions and knowledge from image contents in a systematic, comprehensive and high-throughput way. It will discuss the state-of-the-art in the related fields, and promote the development of critical tools that will accelerate the discovery of useful knowledge from image contents. Among others, participants will discuss topics relevant to how biologists are currently annotating 3D images on different scales, and how these methods can be improved, as well as how to manage complex annotations with regard to ontology and database limitations. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting will explore progress in our understanding of the sense of smell from diverse viewpoints. Participants will discuss how the olfactory map develops, how it functions as a microcircuit, and how the olfactory system contributes to innate behaviors in the laboratory and in the wild. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This workshop will focus on emerging genetic methods that facilitate the use of the fly for neurobiological research, and on discussion of remaining gaps in technology and how they might be filled. Topics of interest include: (1) strategies for controlling gene expression in time and space; (2) tools to map and manipulate neural circuits; and (3) genetically encoded sensors and modulators of neuronal function. The workshop will be limited to 50 participants and there will be ample opportunity for discussion. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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The focus of this meeting is to discuss recent advances in the neural mechanisms controlling reproductive behaviors. Speakers will be invited to address the implications of these new findings across different model organisms in order to identify shared as well as unique organizational principles, and to initiate a discussion on outstanding technical and conceptual issues in the field. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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Hypothalamic neural circuits are important in physiology and for fundamental behavioral motivations associated with survival, defense, and reproduction. This meeting is planned to help understand the structure and function of these complex neural circuits. A further aim of the meeting is to bring together hypothalamic experts with innovative tool developers to consider the impact of new tools for manipulating and imaging neuron activity. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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Building on discussions from the meeting two years ago, we will showcase the development of cutting-edge tools and technology for in vivo imaging. Sessions will cover the design and discovery of new fluorescent proteins and synthetic dyes, and their incorporation into sensors for signaling molecules and cellular states. Innovative imaging modalities making use of such reagents will also be presented. It is our hope that the meeting can present a clear picture of how far these tools have come in recent years, and what additional reagents and capabilities are required to advance imaging into the twenty-first century. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting continues the discussion during the first one held in the fall of 2007. Our focus will be on recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of protein synthesis at the neuronal synapse. We are interested in your latest work and in understanding how this mechanism contributes to learning and memory. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting will focus on recent experimental and theoretical advances in the behavioral neurobiology of C. elegans. Speakers will be invited to address the questions of how the new findings are likely to shape the ultimate model, and what technical and organizational resources are needed to accelerate this project. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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The focus of this workshop will be the structure, biochemistry, and varied functions of septins. Presentations from many different disciplines will provide an opportunity for the exchange of information between medical researchers and basic scientists working on model organisms such as yeast, nematodes, Drosophila, and mouse. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting will focus on current advances in our understanding of cortical circuitry through presentations from leading labs and open forum discussions. In addition, speakers will be asked to address larger questions such as: Is there a generic cortical circuit? If so, what does this circuit do and how does it do it? Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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The goals of this conference are (1) to bring together interdisciplinary researchers to present the latest advances in image data analysis and informatics methods that are, or might be, relevant to such bioimage analysis problems, and (2) to provide a forum for an in-depth discussion of the challenges in this area and their possible solutions. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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Recent scientific advances in Drosophila and other insects have shown the significance of neuropeptides and other neurmodulators in the function of neural circuits. This meeting will focus on work from leading labs in the field. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting will cover molecular mechanisms controlling circuit assembly including transcriptional and translational control, mechanisms of cell recognition, dendritic patterning, synapse formation, and plasticity. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This small meeting of leading scientists working in the areas of molecular genetics, anatomy of neuronal circuits, and visual behavior will provide a forum for vigorous discussion of novel approaches and insights into visual system function. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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Fish, flies—and even worms—show periods of behavioral quiescence and sensory insensitivity that resemble sleep. These sleep states likely share mechanistic and functional features with human sleep. Extensive genetic tools to identify mutations and brain regions which control sleep are available for these model organisms. This meeting will focus on recent advances and will provide a forum for discussion of current opportunities. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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Participants at this conference will consider current challenges and recent progress in computer vision and image analysis techniques that may advance neuroscience studies. We will explore such topics as deriving meaningful 3D reconstructions of cellular architecture and wiring diagrams of the brain, and how neuroscience can provide insights into the design of more powerful computer vision and image analysis algorithms, image systems, and image-mining mechanisms. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting will promote understanding of the role of chromatin regulatory mechanisms in pluripotency and will help resolve controversy surrounding the role of specific genes and processes. Current evidence suggests that stem cells have a specific chromatin state essential to their self-renewal and ability to give rise to multiple lineages. A number of genes have been implicated in establishing this pluripotent state, and some of these are also likely to be involved in reprogramming somatic nuclei to a pluripotent state. A clear understanding of these mechanisms could pave the way to the production of cell types and organs for regenerative medicine. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This meeting focuses on Drosophila larval neuroanatomy, behavior, and development. The types of larval behavior and physiological responses under investigation have been steadily increasing. These include different forms of movement (peristalsis, crawling, digging), feeding behavior and growth, ecdysis behavior, social behaviors (aggregation, selection of pupation sites), escape responses, reaction to sensory stimuli of diverse modalities, and learning and memory. Because of their relatively simplified nervous system, fly larvae provide distinct advantages over adults for linking behavior to underlying neural circuits. The projections of most classes of sensory and motor neurons have been described, which greatly facilitates identification of interneuronal components of distinct behavioral circuits. Electrophysiological studies of larval motor and sensory neurons are possible, and tools are becoming available for automated tracking of behavior of entire populations of larvae. Therefore, a great opportunity exists for attributing specific behaviors to clearly identifiable circuits and for altering and monitoring the activity of circuits at a fine cellular resolution. In addition, the larval nervous system provides unique insights into how hormones influence circuit growth and remodeling, and how identified stem cells relate to defined circuit components. Coupled with the powerful genetic tools available in Drosophila this is an excellent model system for investigating the way in which genes act in defined neuronal circuits to specify behavior. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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In recent years, a number of genetic reagents have been developed for the exogenous control of neural circuit activity. Naturally evolved light-gated ion channels and pumps, mutagenized temperature-sensitive synaptic transmission components, rationally designed photo-switches, and "orthogonal" drug—receptor pairs are only a few of the novel technologies unveiled. This meeting will bring together leaders in the field to highlight recent progress in tool development and applications. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This workshop will focus on recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of learning and memory in Drosophila and the honeybee. It will include discussions of learning that occurs through several different sensory systems along with the anatomy, cell and molecular biology, physiology, and genetics that supports memory formation and persistence. Conference Agenda (pdf) |
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This conference brought together leading scientists in both traditional and emerging areas of mitochondrial biology. It is becoming increasingly obvious that although cellular energy production remains a critical feature of mitochondrial function, there are now exciting implications for the mitochondrial network in diverse cellular signaling pathways. This occasion provided a forum to assess our current understanding of the new opportunities in mitochondrial research. |
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New optical imaging methods were discussed, including super resolution techniques, adaptive optics, and coherent control. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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This meeting covered the post-synaptic mechanisms of memory formation in dendrites, with both developmental and functional foci. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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The meeting focused on novel approaches to the study of attention and decision-making. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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Recent technical innovations have made identified neurons accessible to in vivo electrophysiology and imaging in Drosophila, zebrafish and C. elegans. In addition, ongoing miniaturization is allowing the mouse to be used in place of the rat in many studies. This meeting brought together scientists who use physiology and genetic tools in these organisms to understand neural circuit function. The focus of the meeting was on the design and interpretation of experiments rather than on technique development. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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A fundamental challenge in biology is to understand the reproducibility of developmental programs between individuals of the same species. This developmental precision reflects the integration of spatial and sexual patterning cues with temporal control mechanisms so that important developmental transitions occur at the appropriate time. Both intrinsic gene expression programs and extrinsic cues, such as nutrition, temperature and light cycles can affect timing events. This meeting focused on discussing the molecular mechanisms that control developmental timing in a wide range of species including, but not limited to, C. elegans, Drosophila, plants, and man. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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This meeting follows from the twin meetings held here last spring: Neuroanatomy and Stereotypy of the Adult Drosophila Nervous System and Insect Behavior: Small Brains, Big Functions. These two meetings were well received and we are following them with this fused conference for next year. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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Recent structural data has shed new light on the mechanism of action of mechanically gated channels in prokaryotes. Genetics of simple animals like worms and flies has revealed good candidates for mechanically gated channels that mediate touch sensation in eukaryotes. Still unclear are what channels underlie senses like hearing and touch in mammals, and how any of the eukaryotic channels gate in response to mechanical force. This meeting brought together structural and sensory biologists working at all different levels of mechanosensation, to focus on the mechanisms of mechanical sensing by ion channels.
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This meeting focused mainly on gene regulation at the transcriptional level. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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The goal of this meeting was to discuss the challenges facing the reconstruction of complete circuit diagrams of neuronal processing units, such as vertebrate cortical columns and hippocampal circuits as well as entire invertebrate nervous systems. This meeting discussed, in multiple formats, these problems along with strategies to solve them rather than formal presentation of past research results.
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This meeting focused on new genetic methods that are needed to facilitate modern fly research and how these methods might be developed, including:
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The meeting focused on recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of protein synthesis at the neuronal synapse. We are interested in your latest work and in understanding how this mechanism contributes to learning and memory. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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This meeting showcased the development of cutting-edge tools and technology for in vivo imaging. Sessions covered the design and discovery of new fluorescent proteins and synthetic dyes, and their incorporation into sensors for signaling molecules and cellular states. Innovative imaging modalities making use of such reagents were presented. It is our hope that the meeting presented a clear picture of how far these tools have come in recent years, and what additional reagents and capabilities are required to advance imaging into the twenty-first century. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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The focus was on recent advances in phosphoinositide and inositol phosphate signaling networks. In the past decade the field has been reshaped by the identification and imaging of many new inositide messenger pathways. The goal of this meeting was to present the latest discoveries and to provide a forum for critically assessing outstanding questions and future directions as they pertain to understanding signaling specificity. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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The focus of this small meeting was to discuss the intrinsic and extrinsic factors and influences which determine the specific identities of neural cells. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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This meeting focused on standardizing the nomenclature and the basis for defining the borders of brain regions, their subdivisions as computational entities, the definition of tracts and other pathways in the adult Drosophila brain and thoracic ganglia, drawing on a wide range of anatomical imaging techniques, functional approaches, and developmental studies. Comparisons with other insect central nervous systems will suggest how some of the limitations of what can be addressed in the fly might be resolved. Discussion included the extent of stereotypy at the level of circuits, neurons, axons, and synapses. We hope to establish ways to archive and share images between labs and expand the reference resources available to orient new people to what is known about insect brain anatomy with reference to Drosophila melanogaster.
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This meeting focused on central brain and ventral ganglion functions of insects in bringing about adaptive behavior. It included methods and tools needed from neurogenetics to the simulation of circuits to assess behavior quantitatively and to unravel the underlying neuronal circuits. The meeting omitted many aspects of peripheral visual and olfactory processing, countless important molecules, and olfactory learning and memory—all topics that can fill specialized meetings by themselves. Conference Agenda (PDF) |
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Topics for this meeting included new and emerging genetic techniques and approaches for studying the nervous system in the mouse.
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The main foci for this conference were the anatomical and functional components that form the neural circuits connecting sensory input with behavioral output in the worm.
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There is a wealth of information on the functional anatomy of insect visual systems which can provide deep insights into visual behavior. This meeting brought people with this expertise into contact with molecular geneticists who think about the anatomy of the brain circuits underlying vision, more specifically how the visual system works for motion detection, color vision or polarized light detection.
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