The insect mushroom body (MB) is involved in a variety of behaviors, including olfactory learning and memory, sleep and decision-making. As a follow up to our first meeting in 2014, we will once again gather leading investigators to address the anatomy, behavioral roles, physiology and evolution of the mushroom body. Presentations and discussions will address current approaches for studying MB anatomy, biochemistry, electrophysiology and functional imaging, in an effort to reveal how it functions in a circuit model of the insect brain. We will also include a handful of special talks from investigators working on mammalian circuits to offer a bigger picture view and open discussions about common anatomic and functional principles.
View Full DetailsThe computational problem posed by the use of moving sensors is that sensation and motor control are intertwined. The gathering of information requires that sensors scan the environment to obtain as comprehensive a map of sensory input as possible, while perception and decision making involves uncoupling incoming sensory information from sensation that is generated by self-motion. This conference will explore active sensing in natural and laboratory environments, with a goal of formulating experiments to reveal nature¹s algorithms and their realization in terms of neuronal circuits.
View Full DetailsThis meeting is a platform for the convergence of the frontiers of engineering and biological application. It will bring leading developers of imaging technologies together with experts in the field of life sciences to discuss emerging technologies, current challenges and future directions. Presentations and discussions will address the current state of the art and recent progress on the topics of super-resolution microscopy, light sheet microscopy, correlative light-EM microscopy, intravital imaging, probe and biosensor development, data analysis, specimen prep, and more.
View Full DetailsThis meeting will bring together leading experts in the development of chemistry-based tools that help to unravel signaling networks within cells and tissues. The major themes will be: 1) design of analytical tools for cells and tissue networks, including imaging agents, 2) methods to perturb biological networks in cells and tissues, and 3) strategies to build artificial/model cellular networks for study. Additionally, we hope to have a special session of biologists and/or microscope builders discussing their biological system and its unsolved problems.
View Full DetailsResearch suggests that the prevalence and importance of electrical transmission in the vertebrate brain have been greatly underestimated; while renewed interest in invertebrate electrical synapses has revealed novel functions and highlighted the universal importance of this mode of synaptic transmission. This meeting will address recent progress in the molecular, cellular, and circuit functions of gap junction transmission among neurons, with the goal of revealing differences and commonalities in the structure, function, and regulation of vertebrate and invertebrate electrical synapses. We look forward to gathering colleagues from traditionally non-overlapping fields in hopes of generating a sense of community that will stimulate new collaborations and attract new investigators.
View Full DetailsThis meeting will cover the molecular bases of neuronal identity and the mechanisms that underlie neuronal diversification. We are particularly interested in how new technologies, such as next-generation sequencing of single cells or identifiable cell types, advance our understandings on neuronal types and cell fate specification.
View Full DetailsOrganized by Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz and Nelson Spruston, this workshop is intended as a "by the students, for the students" meeting. Participants will include only students and postdocs with a general interest in understanding cell biological principles underlying nervous system. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to: cell types, membrane and RNA trafficking routes, cytoskeleton, metabolism, cellular and subcellular forces, synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity.
Over the course of the meeting, attendees will present their own work and hear from more senior researchers at Janelia about their research in this field. The goal is to encourage uninhibited and detailed discussion among young researchers. The focus will be on obtaining a deeper understanding of the open questions and technologies for doing modern neuronal cell biology research. Attendees will gain a strong sense of community within the field. We see this as a unique learning opportunity for everyone involved and we expect that it will be an enjoyable, fun experience.
We are interested in those who will be able to follow the intense schedule and contribute to discussions. We plan to assemble a diverse group of male and female students from a broad spectrum of countries and universities.
In order to maintain a small group atmosphere, allowing for extensive interactions and presentations by everyone, space at the workshop is limited. All participants are expected to stay for the duration.
Janelia will cover the cost of accommodation, meals and reasonable travel expenses.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 22, 2017 (11:59 p.m.).
View Full DetailsMay 21-24, 2017 AND May 24-27, 2017
Due to high demand, Janelia will host two back-to-back MicroED workshops in the spring. They will have the same content, and accepted participants will be assigned by the organizers to one or the other.
MicroED is a technique that uses electron diffraction to facilitate structure determination from sub-micron sized crystals, eliminating the need to grow large crystals. MicroED uses equipment and procedures that are standard on many cryoTEM’s, and because of this the technique can be easily adopted in labs and facilities around the world. To facilitate the widespread use of MicroED, Janelia group leader Tamir Gonen is offering this workshop to teach microscopists how to perform the technique and adopt it at their own institutions.
There is no registration fee for participation, and Janelia will provide on-site housing and meals. Attendees are expected to cover their own travel expenses and must be able to stay for the duration.
Recent years have seen rapid developments in deep tissue imaging technologies. In addition to the usual suspects in optical microscopy (longer wavelength excitation, wavefront control), methods using sound waves (photoacoustic and ultrasonic) have shown increasing potential for monitoring physiological events deep inside biological tissue. We expect that bringing the pioneers of these distinct fields together in this meeting will foster the exchange of ideas and concepts. Exposing the technology developers to Janelia (and our research goals) may help them to identify research opportunities in developing their methods for the neuroscience applications. In addition to the experts noted below, we also hope to invite some developers of contrast agents/probes (for both ultrasound and light microscopy), as availability of suitable probes is often the limiting factor for imaging technology.
View Full Details*THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD IN CRETE*
Drosophila is emerging as one of the primary model systems for the genetic investigation of neural circuits and behavior. A follow up to the 2015 and 2017 meetings, this workshop will focus on recent technical and conceptual developments in the field, including genetic methods for identifying and manipulating specific cell types, optogenetics, electrophysiology, EM reconstructions, and automated analysis of behavior. All selected applicants will give a talk, and there will be ample opportunities for both formal and informal participant interactions.
See below for instructions on how to apply!
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Conference Travel Scholarships
Available to grad students and postdocs whose labs do not have travel funding and who would otherwise be unable to attend. Interested applicants must register and note their request for travel support on the registration site.