Neuroscience track

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Description

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Understanding nervous function, from molecules to behavior, from brain to mind, from intelligence to emotion, and discover the causes of neurological and psychiatric disorders, is one of the most difficult and fascinating challenges in science, together with deciphering the laws governing the Universe. Indeed, the scope of neuroscience has broadened enormously in the last decades to include the study of molecular, cellular, developmental, structural, functional, evolutionary, computational, and medical aspects of the nervous system in a common effort of deciphering the black box of nervous function. The techniques used by neuroscientists have also expanded enormously, from molecular and cellular studies of individual neural cells to imaging of sensory and motor tasks in the brain. In addition, Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as, cognitive science, psychology, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics, medicine, genetics, and allied disciplines. It also exerts influence on other fields, such as neuroeducation, neuroethics and neuroeconomics. The scope of our biomedical master Neuroscience study track is to give the students an in depth theoretical introduction to several of the above fields of Neuroscience as well as a practical introduction to many state-of-art approaches used to study nervous function in both animals and humans. Emphasis is put on disciplines and methods most prominently represented in the large community of Neuroscience experts at UNIL and CHUV.

Specific training objectives

At the end of the course the students will be able to:

• Mobilise theoretical knowledge about the physiological, pathological and medical aspects of selected domains of neuroscience such as nervous system development, sensory functions, neuron-glia interactions, synaptic functions, neuronal death and tissue repair, and psychiatric neuroscience.

• Use advanced research techniques to study the physiological function of the nervous system or neuropsychiatric diseases in animal models or in humans.

• Systematically analyse fundamental and clinical problems and experimental approaches in neuroscience.

In the Neuroscience study track of the Biomedical Master, students will be introduced to a broad view selection of neuroscience topics, including physiology-, pathology- and medicine-related aspects that will be presented and discussed by experts in specific research areas including:

Developmental neuroscience
Sensory functions and sensory integration
Neuron-glia biology
Synaptic function, modulation and pharmacology
Neural cell death mechanisms and approaches for repair
Psychiatric neuroscience

Individual topics will be open to students from the Lemanic Neuroscience Doctoral School Program who will join the biomedical master students, as well as to students of the Psychology Faculty curriculum (topic 6). Scientific skills will be strengthened by learning how to critically read and present research papers and by a neuroanatomy practical demonstration.

Students will be offered a broad spectrum of research projects including studies in both animal models and humans, utilizing approaches such as biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, imaging (including dynamic optical imaging as well as brain imaging), electrophysiology (including advanced EEG in humans), behavioral and cognitive tests.

Where ?

Where

All the courses will be given in the seminar room (APP room, ground floor) of the Department of Fundamental Neurosciences (DNF, Bugnon 9).

The schedule

The schedule of the semester involves theoretical courses and paper presentations in the first 6 weeks. Then, the students will have several weeks to prepare the written (topics 1–3) and oral (topics 4–6) examinations that will take place in April. The students will then join research laboratories for full time work on their Master projects. In addition, a grant-writing exercise, based on their Master project, will give the opportunity to the students to become familiarised with the field of research of their host laboratory. The semester will end with the students presenting the research proposal of their grant.

Visit also our host laboratories proposing affiliated projects for Master thesis.

The students who chose this study track will be given the opportunity to participate in the lively progress reports and neuroscience seminars, scientific retreat and annual symposium of the DNF.

Programme

Module 1 – Brain Development by Claudia Bagni

Cerebral cortex development
Epigenetics in development
Postnatal cerebral cortex plasticity
Neurogenesis
Journal Club

Module 2 – Sensory Functions by Micah Murray

Pain
Olfaction
Audition
Gustation
Vision
Multisensorial integration
Practical: Brain demonstration

Module 3 – Neuron-glia Biology by Paola Bezzi & Vassiliki Nikoletopoulou

Glia: a historical perspective
Neurometabolic, neurovascular coupling and brain imaging
Multimodal control of the territory by astrocytes
Gliotransmission
Brain diseases and inflammation: Multiple Sclerosis
Journal club
Practical: viewing glial excitation and transmission

Module 4 – Modulation of Synaptic Transmission by Vassiliki Nikoletopoulou

Molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter secretion
Post-synaptic receptors
Synapse formation
Synaptic plasticity: LTP and LTD
Modulation of synaptic transmission by neuropeptides
Journal club

Module 5 – Neuronal Death and Repair in the CNS by Nicolas Toni

Cell death: introduction, history and typology
Neuronal death in development and diseases
Mechanisms of apoptosis
Cerebral ischaemia: strategies for treatment
Adult Neurogenesis
Cell therapy
Gene therapy of neurodegenerative diseases
Motoneuron diseases and spinal cord injury

Module 6 – Introduction to Psychiatric Neuroscience by Jean-René Cardinaux

Schizophrenia: clinical aspects, ethiopathology, neurobiology
Major depression : clinical aspects, neurobiology
Addiction : clinical aspects, neurobiology
Experimental models of psychiatric disorders
Epigenetics in gene, environment interactions

Career perspectives

The career perspective for students completing the biomedical master in the Neurosciences study track include working as biomedical scientists in a clinical environment (in diagnostic or human research, including fields like neuropsychology), or in pharmaceutical companies including start-ups for the cure of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Many biomedical science graduates undertake further study to develop a specialist knowledge, research and communication skills. In this respect, the Neuroscience community in the Lemanic area counting more than 100 groups is considered one of the strongest in Europe, with specialized basic research departments in all three main University institutions (UNIL, UNIGE and EPFL) and in the two University hospitals (CHUV and HUG). These institutions offer specialized PhD programs in Neuroscience, such as the one jointly organized by UNIL and UNIGE, which involves teachers and researchers from 6 different faculties. Moreover, the region hosts 2 National Center of Excellence sponsorized by the Swiss National Science Foundation (NCCRs Synapsy and Affective Sciences) and other European Community (Human Brain Project) and private-sponsored Neuroscience-related initiatives (Wyss Center). This represents a great opportunity for competitive career development given that specific post-grade qualification is generally required to enter career tracks in academia or in the private science sector.