Titel: 3rd Weimar Conference on Genetics - Neurogenetics

Termin: 29.9.2004, 12:45 Uhr, bis 2.10.2004, 12:00 Uhr

Veranstaltungsort:
Bauhaus Universität Weimar
Marienstraße 13
99425 Weimar

Weitere Informationen:
http://www.gfgenetik.de/neurogenetics/

Kurzbeschreibung: It is fascinating to see last decade's progress in the neurosciences field. Neurogenetics gained tremendously from the availability of human and animal genome sequences. The defective genes underlying Huntington's disease have been identified, and several other genes have been described to be associated with familial forms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, with schizophrenia, autism, depression, and drug addiction. During the present postgenomic era even more gene variants will be identified that contribute to disease conditions, promising to give us a more complete understanding of how minor genetic alterations influence the shaping of heritable nervous system disorders. The detailed analysis of these gene variants' functional impact is only possible because of a 'co-evolution' in the functional imaging, in vivo electrophysiology, animal modelling, and bioinformatics technologies. These developments will be the basis for the establishment of therapies aiming either at the correction of faulty genes (somatic gene therapy) or at the replacement of defective/missing gene products by drugs. Certainly, an improvement of disease conditions requires detailed knowledge of the genetic networks controlling differentiation of neural subpopulations, the factors regulating neural migration, and the molecules controlling growth of axons/dendrites, enhancing synaptic connections and controlling neurotransmitter release. The discovery of neural stem cells and of the plasticity of certain brain regions is a milestone leading to a new viewpoint towards neural diseases and therapeutic possibilities.

This conference's aim is to present current scientific progress in neurogenetics ranging from basic brain research to more applied analyses of neurogenetic disorders in man. Its topics comprise gene function analysis, gene/protein network dissection and cell and stem cell biology in the embryo as well as adult model organism. It hopes to stimulate discussions across the fields of basic neuroscience, functional genomics, functional imaging, bioinformatics, and drug development to support further progress in brain research.

The conference will be organized in eight symposia:

* Mechanisms of brain pattern formation

* Genetic networks controlling neural differentiation

* Adult neural stem cells and their application potential

* Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity

* Animal models to study learning and memory

* Molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases

* Cortex development and neurodevelopmental disorders

* Molecular biology of complex psychiatric disorders

Plenary lectures, oral research reports and poster presentations will cover these topics and offer incentives for interdisciplinary research projects.

The presence of young scientists is highly encouraged.

Kontakt: Mrs Pamela Bogner
Conference Secretary / Registration Office
3rd Weimar Conference of Genetics 2004
PKB Marketing Support
Im Neuenheimer Feld 515
69120 Heidelberg

Tel.: +49 - (0)6221 - 45 19 76
Fax.: +49 - (0)6221 - 45 19 77

pamela.bogner@gmx.de

Schlagworte: Hirnforschung