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The Developing Brain

Karolinska Institutet
Neuroscience
About this course

Developmental biology lies at the heart of an effort to understanding complex biological systems. By studying how neural circuits are assembled we can extrapolate key aspects of their function as well as devise strategies for their repair. This course is given to deepen the understanding of how molecular and cellular mechanisms underlie neurobiological function and to widen the horizon of students within the strong Karolinska neuroscience community.

Contents of the course: The course will cover the main steps of development from neural stem cells to mature circuits, including the patterning of the neural plate and thus the origin of cell types, the interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic factors, gene regulation including epigenetics, neuro-glia interactions and the role of network activity in shaping the final circuits. Different molecular and tracing technologies, and model organisms will be covered. An important aspect of the course regards molecular technologies for labeling, transcriptional analysis, and genetic manipulation of defined neural populations. Connections between aberrant developmental processes and neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders will be discussed.

Course director

The course is given by four course-leaders: Gonçalo Castelo-Branco, Jens Hjerling-Leffler and Ulrika Marklund all at MBB and François Lallemend at Dept of Neuroscience.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student shall be able to describe the major steps contributing to the development of the nervous system and transfer new knowledge acquired in the course into
their specific projects or fields of research.

Prerequisites for participation

No prerequisite courses, or equivalent, demanded for this course. 

SELECTION

Selection will be based on:  
1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant’s doctoral project (according to written motivation). 
2) start date of doctoral studies (priority given to earlier start date). 

Necessary language skill
English B2
Course type
Local
Course level
Masters
Course start date
30 Sep 2024
Course end date
04 Oct 2024
Apply between
Application start date
15 Apr 2024
-
Application end date
06 May 2024
Teaching mode
Local
Local attendance
2024-10-14 - 2024-10-18
Average workload
8 hours per week
Workload in ECTS
1.5
Graded
Yes
Availability of results
After module
Person in charge of module
Jens Hjerling Leffler
Email address
jens.hjerling-leffler@ki.se
Local module ID
C4F2624