Program

Program for ACAN 2010

Week 1: Neural Integration & Excitability                             

Lectures include:
• Basic circuit analysis
• Principles of electrophysiological recording
• Biophysics and molecular biology of ion channels
• Data analysis
Labs include:
• Patch clamping cortical brain slices
• Whole-cell current and voltage clamp
• Single-channel recording and cell-free patches
• Neuromodulation of action potentials
(During week 1, each pair of students will have a dedicated instructor to ensure rapid mastery of patch clamping.)

Week 2: Synaptic transmission

Lectures include:
• Fundamentals of synaptic transmission
• Short- and long-term synaptic plasticity
• Learning and memory
• Neuronal networks
(General interest lectures on neuroscience topics will also be given.)
Labs include:
• Pharmacology of synaptic transmission
• Long-term potentiation (LTP)
• Dendritic recordings
• Patching pairs of neurons
(During weeks 2 and 3, lab instructors will circulate more freely, encouraging cross-fertilisation of approaches and ideas.)

Week 3: Fluorescence Imaging

Lectures include:
• Introduction to fluorescence microscopy
• Principles of calcium imaging
• Advanced techniques in fluorescence microscopy
(General interest lectures on neuroscience topics will also be given.)
Labs include:
• Simultaneous electrophysiology and Ca imaging of single neurons
• Confocal microscopy
(During weeks 2 and 3, lab instructors will circulate more freely, encouraging cross-fertilisation of approaches and ideas.)

Laboratory Project

• Each pair of students will have two full days in which to carry out a small research project of their own choosing.
• Throughout the course, students are encouraged to ‘brainstorm’ with faculty about possible projects.
• Your project might be a pilot experiment for research you wish to conduct in your own lab. In this case, you may like to bring along compounds to test.

Download the full ACAN 2010 program (Last updated 6 Mar 2010)

Student comments about ACAN 2009:

“ACAN was an awesome experience. I learnt a lot about neuroscience and built good and hopefully lasting friendships.”

“I would, without hesitation, recommend this course to others. What I have learned and experienced will be valuable for the rest of my career.”

“I learnt a lot by having all these amazing lecturers, demonstrators and equipment around me. It was a steep learning curve but I got a lot of knowledge and ideas out of it. And it was great to meet fellow students who will potentially become collaborators in the future.”