Download CNCR Mouse Behavior Course

CNCR Mouse Behavior Course
In vivo phenotyping of mutant rodents:
integrating neural activity, heart rate and behavior
Course Organizers
Tommy Pattij, Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit Medical Center ([email protected])
Antonius B. Mulder, Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit Medical Center ([email protected])
Matthijs Verhage, Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ([email protected])
Oliver Stiedl, Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ([email protected])
Location
Institute for Neurosciences (INW) and Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR)
Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences (FALW), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date: September 10-18, 2007
Course limit: 18 participants
Application deadline: August 1, 2007
Attendance fee: 250 Euro (academic rate)
Course Web Site: www.cncr.nl/MBCourse.pdf
Course sponsors
• EU Synapse
• ONWA
• NIN - Netherlands Institute for Brain Research
• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam / FALW Education
• CNCR
CNCR Mouse Behavior Course • In vivo phenotyping of mutant rodents • Sept. 10-18, 2007
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Objectives
This course is a combined lecture and practical course on the behavioral characterization of
rodents including genetically modified mice. We intend to teach principles of behavioral analysis of
phenotypes useful for PhD students working in the field of (behavioral) neuroscience who are
interested in an integral approach to phenotyping of rodents extending to neural and autonomic
responses.
More specifically, our aim is to
• outline conceptual issues in behavioral neuroscience focusing on a combination of autonomic
electrophysiological and neurochemical methods
• outline methodological issues to be considered when designing behavior experiments;
• provide hands-on experience on electrophysiological and autonomic recording techniques in
combination with behavior methods.
Scientific relevance of these techniques
Behavior techniques are essential to analyze the phenotype of rodents including mutant mice with
regard to psychopathology models. Behavioral methods need to be complemented by electrophysiological and autonomic techniques for an improved understanding of underlying mechanisms.
The importance of the use of a broader method spectrum and experimental limitations will be
discussed in the course. Behavior experiments provide unique information about the role of genes
in sensorimotor function, perception, attention, anxiety, learning and memory, and other aspects of
higher cognitive functioning. Inducible and region-specific genetic techniques permit to ask more
specific questions and are becoming increasingly important. But these new techniques also
impose additional constraints on behavior experiments, for example with respect to genetic
background or time schedule. Thus, having profound expertise when testing the behavior of
genetically modified mice is more important than ever.
Course structure
The detailed timetable of the course is attached below.
• Morning: two 45 min lectures on conceptual and methodological issues followed by a discussion
with the lecturer.
• Noon: Extended joint lunch with an informal discussion with the morning lecturers of that day. An
opportunity to ask detailed questions and start debates about the value of various techniques
with the lecturers.
• Afternoon: practical work in groups of 3 students attending practical demonstrations and
performing experiments themselves.
Practicals
Planned themes include an exposure to various tests and techniques used under in vivo conditions
in freely moving mice.
Behavior tests: anxiety tests , spatial learning and operant and classical conditioning (including
fear conditioning, passive avoidance learning)
Autonomic measurements: introduction to heart rate measurements and data analysis
Electrophysiological recordings: tetrode recordings, telemetric single unit recordings. A separate
practical course timetable is in preparation
Surgical techniques: ECG transmitter implantation, cannula placement for central injections in
mice, electrode implantation for electrophysiological recording
Course staff
In addition to the course organizers, internationally renowned experts ensure a high standard of
the course. The following renowned scientists have been invited and have already agreed to
participate in the course:
CNCR Mouse Behavior Course • In vivo phenotyping of mutant rodents • Sept. 10-18, 2007
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Bauke Buwalda - University Groningen, Netherlands
John Cryan - University Cork, Ireland
Jeff Dalley - University Cambridge, United Kingdom
Matthijs Feenstra - Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cornelius Gross - EMBL Monterotondo, Italy
Michael Hasselmo - Boston University, USA
Stephan von Hörsten, University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
Martien Kas - University Utrecht, Netherlands
Hans-Peter Lipp - University Zurich, Switzerland
Sven Ove Ögren - Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Paul Philipps - University Washington, Seattle, USA
Andrea Sgoifo - University Parma, Italy
Sabine Spijker - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
Berry Spruijt - University Utrecht, Netherlands
In addition to the course organizers, excellent technicians will support the demonstrations and help
supervising the day-to-day practical work.
To whom the course is aimed and how to apply
The course is intended for advanced graduate students and early postdoctoral students in
molecular neurobiology, neuroscience, physiology, behavioral pharmacology and experimental
psychology. A maximum of 18 participants will be selected. The selection will be based on
academic excellence and evidence for genuine interest and motivation.
To apply, applicants should fill in the attached application form. It should be printed out and
returned together with the requested additional information and material by regular mail as fax or
as an email attachement (preferably as a pdf-file) to the Course Office address provided on the
form.
On request a limited number of student accommodations can be provided at additional costs (Euro
250).
Course fee is 250 Euro (academic rate). The bank connection will be provided to selected
participants and the subject “CNCR Mouse Behavior Course 2007”after approval of participation by
the organizers.
CNCR Mouse Behavior Course • In vivo phenotyping of mutant rodents • Sept. 10-18, 2007
CNCR Mouse Behavior Course, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
September 10-18, 2007
Application Form - PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Name
Date of birth
Address (affiliation)
Telephone
FAX
E-mail
Current position
Behavior experience
(Permits: e.g. art. 9)
Research interests
(max. 50 words)
Signature
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CNCR Mouse Behavior Course • In vivo phenotyping of mutant rodents • Sept. 10-18, 2007
Reason for
application
(max. 100 words)
Please print and return the completed form with the following enclosures:
• Curriculum vitae and list of publications
• One publication illustrating the currently used methods and research interests (if available)
• A letter of recommendation from the supervisor, head of laboratory, or head of department
Please submit the application forms and enclosures to the following address:
CNCR Mouse Behavior Course 2007
Els Borghols (email: [email protected], Tel. +31 (0)20 59 86925, Fax: +31 (0)20 59 86926)
Department of Functional Genomics
Institute of Neurosciences, FALW, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
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